Sharjah International Foundation for the History of Arab and Muslim Sciences

SIFHAMS Explores Academic Collaboration with the School of Arabic Studies in Spain

The Sharjah International Foundation for the History of Arab and Muslim Sciences (SIFHAMS), represented by Prof. Dr. Mesut Idriz, Director of the Foundation, and Prof. Dr. Andreas Eckart, Member of the International Scientific and Advisory Board, conducted an official visit to the School of Arabic Studies (Escuela de Estudios Árabes – EEA), a research institute affiliated with the Spanish National Research Council (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – CSIC), an autonomous public institution operating under the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.

 

The visit commenced with an official tour of the School’s facilities, during which the delegation explored its research units and its distinguished library, which houses a significant collection of Islamic manuscripts and rare books. Dr. Montserrat Benitez Fernandez, Deputy Director of the School, along with her colleagues, delivered comprehensive presentations on the institution’s research areas, highlighting completed and ongoing projects, as well as its future strategic plans. During the visit, Prof. Dr. Mesut Idriz presented an overview of SIFHAMS, outlining its history, vision, objectives, and international activities. He emphasized that the Foundation’s strategic direction is centered on advancing research and publishing scholarly works related to the history of Arab and Muslim sciences, as well as strengthening international academic collaboration. The visit also featured an open and constructive discussion between both parties, during which they expressed strong mutual interest in developing joint research initiatives and organizing international scientific events.

These initiatives will focus on exploring the history of Arab and Muslim contributions in Al-Andalus and its surrounding regions, as well as examining the scientific heritage of Al-Andalus and its intellectual connections with both the East and the West. Proposed areas of collaboration include the history of the compilation of the Qur’anic text and Arabic–Spanish translations; studies in the history of science and intellectual traditions in Arab-Islamic societies; research on non-standard linguistic features in written and oral sources from Al-Andalus and the western Islamic world; epigraphic studies in Granada; historiography of the Mediterranean; knowledge transmission in Al-Andalus and its influence on the Islamic East; scholarly networks; and the architectural and archaeological heritage of Al-Andalus. At the conclusion of the visit, Dr. Montserrat Benitez Fernandez expressed her appreciation to the visiting delegation and conveyed her optimism regarding future collaboration between SIFHAMS, the University of Sharjah, and the School of Arabic Studies. She emphasized the importance of strengthening academic partnerships that contribute to advancing research and preserving shared scientific and cultural heritage.