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Research Centres

Research is an integral activity to QFIS. Whether part of a teaching programme, the fruit of individual effort, joint collaboration, or part of an externally funded project, research represents an important commitment to QFIS. It is a fundamental requirement for the development of human resource skills, as well as a key driver of social development more broadly.

The main goal of QFIS's research centres is to provide an opportunity for postgraduate students as well as resident and visiting scholars to investigate research topics in their fields of interest in an environment rich with facilities and expert guidance. Centres will promote research in key areas related to QFIS's major graduate programs of study.

 The centres will also be active in organizing debate-rounds and conferences bringing together distinguished scholars and practitioners from national and international fora to further key areas of research.  In due course a series of publications will be launched to fully establish our research centres as centres of excellence in the field of Islamic Studies. Serving as the heart of informed discussions about various topical issues, these centres will act as a launch pad for QFIS; a role that is bound to create a powerful scientific media presence.

Al-Qaradawi Centre for Research in Moderate Thought

This is the first specialized research centre established by QFIS in accordance with the decision of HH Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned - Chairwoman of Qatar Foundation.The challenges and complexities of the developments unfolding in contemporary societies necessitate the establishment of a strong research centre that is dedicated to identifying, analyzing, and explicating these changes. Such a research hub will also be active in offering alternative solutions to pressing socio-economic issues and a fresh voice to on-going debates in Islamic jurisprudence and its potential contribution to the betterment of human life. The research work of this centre will emphasize the need for clarity of vision, and tolerance toward different thought and cultures.Through its activities and research, the Centre will elaborate positions and directions that conform to the Shariah, and that adopt the conceptual framework of moderate thought that characterizes the work of Dr. Al Qaradawi. 

Islamic Economics and Finance

Islamic finance is one of the fastest growing areas of international finance, and is drawing academic and professional interest around the world. New products are continuously emerging and those who wish to participate in this exciting and dynamic field have to be knowledgeable of the conventions and groundings of Islamic economics and finance, as well as the contemporary developments in the international financial industry. A particularly high concentration of Islamic financial institutions in the Middle East, calls for an equally strong research effort that illuminates international developments and offers the industry concrete analysis, new ideas, and contextual maps of past, present and future events. To these ends, the research cluster in Islamic Economics and Finance will focus on the following three areas: Innovative Financial Products; Monetary and Fiscal Policy; and Pan-Islamic Trade and Business.

Contemporary Muslim Societies

The power of the growing interest in the study of contemporary Muslim societies can hardly be exaggerated. The need for new approaches that fuse a strong base of knowledge of (the often insufficiently studied) textual foundations, and contemporary manifestations of Muslim thought and practice are needed. In a post-Orientalist world it is important to bridge the gap between classical approaches to the study of the Islamic world and the work that today's anthropologists, sociologists, economists, and political scientists, are undertaking on contemporary Muslim societies. The research cluster in this area will strongly augment this lacuna by focusing on: Pluralism, Identity and Culture; Socio-politico-economic analyses; and Interaction with the "other."

Governance and Public Policy

In the last few years governance and issues of democratization have jumped to the fore of research and policy agendas in all that relates to the Muslim world. Interest in Islam's political and cultural influences is steadily growing. Yet, the relation between governance processes, standards of accountability and transparency on the one hand, and Islam on the other remains greatly overlooked. Moreover, Islam's past and potential contributions to innovative policy ideas and programs in a variety of fields remains underexplored and lacks the universality with which it can potentially be applied.  issues. This research centre will build a strong research base by drawing on Islamic concepts, theories, methods, and principles as well as relevant western scholarship to study, design, analyse, and challenge public policies in a variety of fields. Its initial foci will include: Science and Technology; Market and Social Justice; Democratization; and International Relations.

Islamic Urban Planning and Architecture

Islamic architecture and urban planning in historical cities magnificently reflects the deep understanding of Muslim society for the role of the city, its buildings, structures, the concept of urban society, and urbanization. Islamic architecture encompasses the Muslim approach to environmental management through complete respect for Islamic cultural values and social relations.  The fusion of these varying concerns and interests is what gives Muslim urban space and architecture its unique form and character. These and many other issues will be the foci of research in this broad field. This research centre will support an all-encompassing approach to the study of Islamic architecture and urban planning that will be part of the master's program in this field.

Sheikh Muhammad Bin Hamad AL-Thani Centre for Muslim Contribution to Civilization

The Centre seeks to present to the world accurate, scholarly and faithful translations of some of the best known works of Muslim savants. The works are selected by a body of eminent Muslim scholars and span the 800 years of the classical period of Islamic civilization (c.620 AC to c. 1500AD). The works selected are intended to cover all aspects of Islamic and other sciences. More