Welcome to the Department of History and Islamic Civilization of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Our field is one of the most important disciplines of academic study as it explores and presents examples and lessons for humanity.
The study of history and Islamic civilization revolves around Islam as a world history. Because of the nature of Islam as a universal religion that forms the scope of historiography, or the way of looking at history, as a means of reformation of mankind through the messages of the prophets, concepts of unity and cohesion in diversity, and the continuous contribution and relevance to all mankind.
The elements of history, as a comprehensive outcome of the workings of any civilization, lead to the all-evident diversity of the cultures of the world and the permeation of the basic elements of a "religion", which those peoples have caused to emerge from within themselves. The process by which such emergence comes about is called refinement and development, and in this case, it is called the Islamic Civilization. This Islamic Civilization is manifest in human liberation: first from superstitious, mythical, animistic and ethnic cultural traditions incompatible with Islam, and then from secular control over one's reason and language. Simple and commendable elements of the pre-Islamic civilization that bound people together and were accepted as compatible with Islamic moral codes become part of this great civilization. It is a living civilization whose pulse punctuates a process of religious progress. This is not in the dialectical sense of an evolutionary 'development', but in the sense of a progress that involves every Muslim generation in the realization of the original nature and spirit of Islam as something already established in history. It is the application of the theoretical and practical principles of Islam in the life of the people and the actualization of the fundamentals and potentials of Islam. The realization of progress, application, and actualization of Islam is determined by the extent of adherents' knowledge of Islam and their intellectual and cultural attainment. Therefore, Islamic Civilization is a manifestation of unity in diversity and of diversity in unity.
Based on the conceptual aims mentioned above, the Department of History and Islamic Civilization develops scientific dialogue and social interaction. It offers students significant courses of study, which aim to enable them to better understand the actualities of their present and past. These courses include Islamic History, Islamic History of Science, Islamic Civilization, and Islamic City, History of Islamic Education, Atlas of the Muslim World, World History, History of the Arab Gulf, and many more. . The vast majority of our programs are delivered in Arabic, but serve English-medium courses offered by colleges and departments in the University, and can be offered in various modern world languages, if required.
In addition to our B.A. History and Islamic Civilization, the department offers two other major programs: B.A. Tourist Guide and B.A. Museum Studies and Art History, which meet current local and international needs.
Currently, our department offers postgraduate programs, where students conduct scientific research in History and Islamic Civilization"
Our department boast a host of highly-qualified faculty specializing in history, civilizations, tourism, museum studies, arts, and other related academic fields. In accordance with University of Sharjah practices, the department endeavours to be among the best teaching and learning academic departments with its modern facilities, and an academic faculty who are encouraged to actively engage in scientific research and participate in local, regional and international conferences.
The future of the Department of History and Islamic Civilization is highly promising principally due to the support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al-Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, and President of the University of Sharjah
Blessings,
Prof. Maamoun Saleh Abdulkarim
Chair, Department of History and Islamic Civilization
