Islamic Research and Information Center

The Islamic Research and Information Center (IRIC) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to academic research, education, and the dissemination of information about Islam, with a particular focus on Shi'a communities and contemporary Muslim issues worldwide. IRIC supports Islamic studies in higher education, encourages international collaboration in media and publishing, and aims to foster greater understanding of Islam through various educational and cultural projects (WikiShia, 2022).

Location

The main international office of IRIC is based in Washington D.C., USA. Since 1996, IRIC has also maintained an officially registered non-profit branch in Iran, facilitating research and educational activities in collaboration with Iranian scholars and institutions (WikiShia, 2022).

History

IRIC was founded in 1990 by a group of Muslim graduate students in Washington D.C. The organization rapidly expanded, establishing a network of 40 Islamic institutes across North America. This network evolved into the Islamic Cooperation Council, which organized educational programs and monthly meetings in several U.S. states. During the 1990s, IRIC published the Islamic Monitor journal and the Bosnia Watch bulletin, playing a role in raising awareness about the Bosnian genocide. In 1996, IRIC registered as a non-profit NGO in Iran, further expanding its reach and activities (WikiShia, 2022).

Establishment and Founders

IRIC was established in 1990 by Muslim graduate students in Washington D.C. The Iranian branch was formally registered in 1996, marking the beginning of its direct involvement with Iranian researchers and students (WikiShia, 2022).

Financial Sponsors

While specific financial sponsors are not publicly detailed, IRIC, as an NGO, is typically funded through donations, grants, and support from affiliated institutions and community members, including those from Iran (WikiShia, 2022).

Website and Contact Information

• Website: https://iric.org
• Contact Information: Contact details can be found on the organization’s official website. Specific Iranian branch contact information is not directly listed in public sources (WikiShia, 2022).

Iranian Perspective

From Iran’s viewpoint, IRIC represents a significant effort to enhance Islamic research, promote unity among Muslim nations, and address contemporary challenges facing the Islamic world. The center’s activities in Iran involve collaboration with local scholars and institutions, reflecting the country’s commitment to advancing Islamic thought and education (WikiShia, 2022).

Prominent Research Figures

From Iran, several scholars have been affiliated with IRIC, contributing to its research and academic output. For example, Abbas Aghdassi served as a part-time researcher at IRIC’s Tehran branch between 2012 and 2014. He is noted for his work in Islamic Studies in the West and supervising research on historical and cultural relations involving Iran and the Islamic world. Other Iranian researchers and students under IRIC’s supervision work on topics such as Islamic history, cultural relations, and translation of significant Islamic texts (Aghdassi, 2021).

Key Fields of Concentration (Research)

IRIC’s research focuses on several core areas relevant to the Islamic world and Muslim communities, particularly from an Iranian and Western perspective:

• Islamic Studies with Emphasis on Academic Shi’a Studies in the West: IRIC conducts strategic research on Shi’a Islam and its academic representation within Western academia.
• Cultural-Religious Studies of Muslim Communities in Western Societies: Investigating the social and cultural transformations of Muslims living in the West.
• Muslim Youth Challenges and Opportunities: Examining the issues faced by Muslim youth in Western countries, including identity, integration, and religious education (IRIC, 2023; WikiShia, 2022).
• Interdisciplinary Studies: Including media production, film, TV programs, and publication efforts to promote Islamic teachings.
• Contemporary Issues of the Islamic World: Addressing political, social, and cultural challenges facing Muslim countries and communities globally (WikiShia, 2022).

Relations to the Islamic World

IRIC maintains strong relations with the broader Islamic world, particularly through its network of Islamic institutes and cooperation with scholars in Iran and other Muslim-majority countries. Since 1996, IRIC has operated as a registered NGO in Iran, fostering collaboration with Iranian researchers and institutions to study contemporary Islamic issues and promote Islamic unity and education. The center’s work supports the cultural and academic exchange between the West and the Islamic world, emphasizing Shi’a scholarship and Muslim minority experiences (WikiShia, 2022; IRIC, 2023).

Publishing / Significant Reports

IRIC publishes a range of academic and informational materials, including:

• The Islamic Monitor journal.
• The Bosnia Watch weekly bulletin, historically significant for raising awareness about the Bosnian genocide.
• The Islam from the Viewpoint of the West journal.
• Book series such as Muslims in the West and Academic Shi’a Studies in the West.
• Specialized scientific articles and reports on Muslim communities, Shi’a studies, and Islamic cultural transformations (WikiShia, 2022; IRIC, 2023).

These publications serve as important resources for scholars, students, and policymakers interested in Islamic studies and Muslim diaspora issues.

Impacts and Partnerships

IRIC has had notable impacts in several areas:

• Academic Impact: By fostering Shi’a studies and Islamic research in Western academia, IRIC has helped legitimize and expand Islamic scholarship, especially Shi’a perspectives.
• Cultural and Educational Programs: Through its network and the Islamic Cooperation Council, IRIC has organized educational and cultural programs across North America and Iran.
• Humanitarian Awareness: Its publications contributed to international awareness and support to stop human genocide in Bosnia during the 1990s.
• Partnerships: IRIC collaborates with universities, research centers, and Islamic institutes in Iran and globally. Iranian scholars affiliated with IRIC also engage in supervising theses and research projects related to Islamic history, culture, and contemporary issues (WikiShia, 2022; IRIC, 2023; Aghdassi, 2021).