Let's step back a minute would there be need to improve ties with the west if Muslims had not been a) behaving badly and b) insisting that Islamic laws and norms trump all?
Sir Timothy O'Shea, principal of the university, said: "The University of Edinburgh is honored to be entrusted with the task of creating this center..
I wonder who creates the syllabus? Here is a country that has to place its only university that resembles anything in the modern world ~ behind a fortified enclosure. Is donating money to see that the west receives an education in Islam according to its directive.
...which will foster deeper understanding between the Muslim world and the West through the twin paths of effective outreach and high-quality research.
High quality research ~ of the Saudi doctrine. But aren't madrassas all about recitation?
It is paramount for both Islam and the West to reach mutual ground for pro-active dialogue, respect, acceptance and tolerance," Prince Alwaleed said on the occasion.
It has become clear the 'tolerance, respect and acceptance' part ~ is one way street. What he really means is that the west should ready itself for the acceptance of Islam. They are in no way prepared to compromise and be tolerant of anything non-Muslim ~ in their country. Saudi Arabia remains a fortress in this respect.
The foundation has also established similar centers at Georgetown and Harvard in the US as well as at the American universities in Beirut and Cairo.
Georgetown has now become J. Espito-Town ~ who is staunchly apologetic for all things Islam. And the Harvard one ~ has produced a study that says Muslim men who go to Mecca or on the Hajj often have a better view of women. Never took into account the fact that in the country where the Kaaba exists women enjoy the least rights of any other country in the world. That from the New Harvard Islamic Center. Clearly now a place where wealthier Muslims can indulge in their pet projects.
RIYADH: A new research center to foster deeper understanding between the Muslim world and the West has been inaugurated at the University of Edinburgh.
The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World will study Islamic civilization and issues relating to Islam in Britain.
The new center, set up with funding from the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation, was opened by Prince Alwaleed and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh who is the chancellor of the university, at a ceremony in Edinburgh.
Prince Alwaleed was accompanied by Princess Ameerah Altaweel, a delegation from Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation and Kingdom Holding Company.
"I am pleased to open the Center for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World at the University of Edinburgh. It is paramount for both Islam and the West to reach mutual ground for pro-active dialogue, respect, acceptance and tolerance," Prince Alwaleed said on the occasion.
"We are determined to continue building the bridge between Islam and the West for peace and humanity," he added.
In 2008, the Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation made an £8 million endowment to fund the center with a signing ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Sir Timothy O'Shea, principal of the university, said: "The University of Edinburgh is honored to be entrusted with the task of creating this center, which will foster deeper understanding between the Muslim world and the West through the twin paths of effective outreach and high-quality research.
"Building on our 250-year history of scholarship in this area, we plan to use this opportunity to create an educational legacy that has continued impact across the United Kingdom and beyond, and that reaches far into the future."
The foundation has also established similar centers at Georgetown and Harvard in the US as well as at the American universities in Beirut and Cairo. A second center in the UK is based at the University of Cambridge.
Arab News
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