King Charles opens wing named after himself at Oxford's Centre of Islamic Studies
King Charles described the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies as a 'beacon of Islamic scholarship' when he visited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the institution.
Crowds gathered to watch the King open a new wing named after himself.
His Majesty, who is a patron of the centre, was welcomed by its director, Dr Farhan Nizami and Lord Hague, the new Chancellor of Oxford University.
The wing will host the 'King Charles III Programme', a new initiative to consolidate key activities inspired by his beliefs.
Founded in 1985, the centre evolution has been closely followed by the King, even being granted a Royal Charter by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 2012.
The centre hosts a 'young Muslim Leadership Programme,' as well as conferences focused on global issues like the environment and sustainability, both close to the King's heart.
Addressing the congregation, His Majesty said, "In this milestone anniversary year, I can only say that it is with enormous pride and admiration that I join you all here today to pay tribute to this remarkable centre.
"The centre's ongoing commitment to objective scholarship and international co-operation, underpinned by principles of dialogue, deep understanding and mutual respect, is more imperative than ever in today's world."
The visit was rounded off with a reception in the aptly named, King Charles III Garden with a chance to meet interfaith representatives, academics and trustees.
The King has a history with co-founder of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, Dr Farhan Ahmad Nizami, as they first met when the king visited in 1993.
The then-Prince of Wales gave a passionate lecture at the Sheldonian Theatre about the need for religious tolerance. Many saw it as a milestone in race relations.
Speaking in 1993, he said, "If there is much misunderstanding in the West about the nature of Islam, there is also much ignorance about the debt our own culture and civilisation owe to the Islamic world.
"It is a failure which stems, I think, from the straitjacket of history which we have inherited."
Since then, the centre has found it important to work on the international stage to improve islamic relations.
The centre's director Dr. Farhan Nizami said, "That is why we need these occasions more and more and that is why the relevance of the centre has increased over time.
"There is now a bigger responsibility upon us but equally, this is a mark of the importance of these times that need to be addressed."
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