OCIS director visits Yemen [Archives:2006/939/Local News]

Dr. Farhan Ahmed Nizami, founding director of the Oxford Center for Islamic Studies (OCIS), recently visited Yemen to discuss Islamic issues with statesmen and intellectuals, as well as promote the UK-based center's activities, which aim to show Islam's civilized and humanistic nature.

Nizami met with several high-ranking governmental officials, including President Ali Abdullah Saleh and Shoura Council Chairman Abdulaziz Abdul-Ghani. His meeting with the president included a discussion of current Muslim world events, as well as challenges that lie ahead.

The director briefed Saleh on the center's role and activities it organizes. He also appreciated Yemen's provision of traditional construction materials, such as bricks used in Yemeni architecture, for the OCIS.

Nizami underscored that the OCIS is keen to exchange visits and invite Yemeni researchers to further strengthen mutual bonds. He pointed out that throughout history, Yemen represents a model for peaceful coexistence among different religions.

OCIS provides a meeting point for Western and Islamic worlds of learning. At Oxford, it contributes to multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary study of the Islamic world.

Established in 1985 to encourage scholarly study of Islam and the Islamic world, OCIS is assisted by an Academic Advisory Committee consisting of senior members of the university.

The center is governed by a board of trustees composed of representatives from Oxford University and scholars and statesmen from various parts of the world. The late S. Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi was the founding chairman of the trustees. Dr. Abdullah Omar Nasseef is the current chairman.
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