Guests, including King Charles III, celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
Date Published: 23.07.2025
King Charles III and our Warden, Robert Hannigan, were among those marking the occasion.
Distinguished guests including Lord Hague and Professor Irene Tracey, Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of Oxford University, celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, the naming of the King Charles III Wing, and launch of the King Charles III Programme at the Centre on 17 July 2025.
Since 1993, the King has served as Patron of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, which was founded in 1985 by our alumnus, Dr Farhan Nizami (DPhil Oriental Studies, 1979). Dr Nizami is King Charles III Fellow at Magdalen College and an Emeritus Fellow of St Cross College.
Dr Nizami is a valued member of our College community. In July 1997, Nelson Mandela visited Oxford to receive the Freedom of the City. The President of the Republic of South Africa gave a lecture at the Sheldonian Theatre on 'Renewal and Renaissance: Towards a New World Order,' after which he dined at Wadham as Dr Nizami's guest.
Robert Hannigan said:
"We are very proud of the fact that our alumnus, Dr Farhan Nizami, founded the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies forty years ago. This anniversary of OCIS is a moment to celebrate the extraordinary achievement of this centre for the advanced study of Islam and the Muslim world. As well as supporting impressive scholarship the OCIS has done a great deal to promote understanding between cultures and religions, work that is more necessary today than ever."
Many congratulations to Dr Nizami and everyone at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies on the Centre's 40th anniversary.
Guests, including King Charles III and Robert Hannigan, at the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. Photo by Greg Allen.
Distinguished guests at the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. Photo by Greg Allen.
Nelson Mandela and the Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) are served by our late colleague, Gwen Parsons, in Wadham's Dining Hall in 1997. Photo shared with kind permission from Gwen Parson's family.