The Centre aims to provide a world-class research and learning experience, with critical understanding and appreciation of both Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. As a multi-disciplinary Centre, it offers a wide range of subject areas, including Islamic Texts, Islam in the Contemporary World, Islamic Spirituality, Classical and Modern thought, Women in Islam, Christian-Muslim Relations and the Politics, History and Culture of the Middle East.

As the successor to the Centre for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, Selly Oak, it draws on long experience that stretches back to the 1920’s with the establishment of a lectureship in Islamic Studies and the founding of the Mingana Collection of Middle Eastern Manuscripts.

The Centre is located in the School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham, which is regarded as one of the multi-culture and multi- faith city in the UK. The City is close to some important cities such as the capital London as well as other important historical cities such as Cambridge and Oxford. Within the University the Centre benefits from close connections with other schools and departments that have expertise in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. In addition, each year the Centre welcomes a number of visiting research scholars, reflecting the learning and research activities that are at its heart.

Research Projects

Centre staff are involved in a number of research projects:

• Christian-Muslim Relations 1500-1900 (CMR1900)
• Levelling the playing field for Muslim women
• Christian-Muslim relations 600-1500 

Publications

• Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations

Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations is a refereed academic journal publishes articles in the following areas:

– the religion and culture of Islam, historical and contemporary
– Islam and its relations with other faiths and ideologies
– Christian-Muslim relations

Staff

– Dr Haifaa Jawad, Centre Director and Senior Lecturer in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies
– Dr Katherine Brown, Senior Lecturer in Islamic Studies and Head of Department
– Dr John Chesworth, Research Officer CMR1900
– Dr Ian Draper, Honorary Research Fellow in Islam and Contemporary Religion
– Professor Jorgen Nielsen, Professor of Contemporary European Islam
– Professor David Parker, Professor of Digital Philology
– Professor Oliver Scharbrodt, Professor of Islamic Studies
– Dr Yafa Shanneik, Lecturer in Islamic Studies
– Professor David Thomas, Professor of Christianity and Islam and Nadir Dinshaw Professor of Interreligious Relations

Contacts

• Address: School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
• Website: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/