The research centers of the Islamic Area Studies Organization form a network for collaborative research that seeks, by taking a historical approach and adopting regional comparison methods in the study of current issues, to build a framework of empirical knowledge on Islam and Islamic Civilization. The existing international network of collaborative research, which was established through the previous Islamic Area Studies Project (1997-2002) and the National Institutes for the Humanities (NIHU) Program for Islamic Area Studies, has, as of 2008, been brought into the fold of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Program. We aim to Promote the Development of Joint Research Institutions in Human Studies and Social Sciences, thereby further expanding collaborations and joint research as institutions recognized by the Minister of MEXT. Specifically, the Organization is a joint research network, composed of 5 centers, focusing on Waseda University and including the University of Tokyo, Sophia University, Kyoto University, and the Toyo Bunko (Oriental Library), working together to carry out solicited research that seeks new themes for collaborative projects, and to augment work at each location.
As we entered the 21st century, the attacks of September 11th, 2001 marked the first in a series of grave events which shook the world. This was soon followed by the US and UK raids which brought about the fall of the Hussein regime. The globalization and intensification of Islam underlies these crises and disputes. In order to correctly understand the direction of global affairs in the 21st century, as well as concerns such as oil supply and regional conflicts, it is crucial that we first accept this new reality, and then shed light on the relationship between Islam and societies worldwide. The goals shared by each of the five research centers are as follows.
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To build a framework of empirical knowledge and deepen our understanding of the contemporary Islamic world by examining the relationship between Islam and a given region through the eyes of both natives and non-natives, and to develop methodologies specific to the study of Islamic areas through this cumulative research. |
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To collect and maintain the documents that will serve as a foundation for research at each center; to manage the Arabic language database developed as part of the Islamic Area Studies Project: to incorporate accumulated historical documents into a database; to further promote the international release of related information; and to simultaneously explore new territory in the study of Islamic historical materials through the promotion of bibliographic research. |
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To conduct research that emphasizes a comprehensive graduate level education, while actively encouraging young scholars from Japan and abroad to participate in Islamic Area Studies, and fostering the next generation of Islamic studies scholars by encouraging their participation in international projects. |
It is our sincere hope to earn support for the goals listed above and garner the participation of many. We hope to continue this program for decades to come, maintaining an optimum balance between individual work and joint research projects. We believe this is the dawning of a new era in Islamic studies, and ask for your encouragement and support, both in Japan and abroad.
