CAIRO — Aiming to boost the study of Islam and promote a better understanding of the Muslim faith, two renowned British universities are launching research centers for Islamic studies thanks to a donation from a Saudi business tycoon, The Independent reported on Thursday May 8.  | "It is paramount for both Islam and the West to reach mutual ground for pro-active dialogue, respect, acceptance and tolerance," said Al Waleed. (photo through Google) |
"I am pleased to support the Center of Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge and the Center for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World at the University of Edinburgh," Prince Al Waleed bin Talal told a signing ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Cambridge and Edinburgh universities will share a £ 16-million donation made by the Saudi businessman, a member of the ruling family. The signing ceremony was attended on Wednesday May 7, by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the chancellor of both universities. The two universities have decades of experience in teaching Islamic studies. For the past 250 years the university of Edinburgh has been offering a scholarship in Islamic studies. The university is ranks first among educational institutions offering research on Islamic and Middle Eastern studies. About 60 undergraduates join Cambridge's Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies every year. Its Faculty of Divinity is offering courses for students interested in knowing more about Islam. The new fund is part of efforts by Prince Al Waleed, the world’s 19th richest man with $21 billion, to promote Islamic studies around the world. Two years ago, he donated $40 million to America's famed Georgetown and Harvard universities for the expansion of their Islamic studies program. Prince Al Waleed's Kingdom Foundation KF charity has also financed a host of cultural, educational and philanthropic ventures around the globe. |
DOHA • Ethiopian athletes will not be participating in the Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix today, the Qatar Association of Athletic Federation (QAAF) announced. “Ethiopian athletes will not be taking part in Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix,” Dahlan Al Hamad, Qatar Association of Athletic Federation’s President, said yesterday.