The Islamic Civilization Research Center

The Islamic Civilization Research Center IRCICA, also known as the Center for Islamic Civilization Studies, is a leading institution devoted to the scholarly exploration, documentation, and promotion of Islamic civilization—its history, heritage, science, art, and philosophy. The center is affiliated with major institutions like the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and serves as a hub for research, dialogue, and dissemination of knowledge about the rich and diverse legacy of Islamic civilization, aiming to foster cross-cultural understanding and intercultural cooperation (Bibliotheca Alexandrina, 2020; Center for Islamic Civilization Studies, n.d.).

Establishment and Founders

The Center for Islamic Civilization Studies is one of the research centers operating under the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. While specific founding individuals are not typically named, the initiative stems from the broader vision of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and its academic leadership to contribute to studies in the field of Islamic civilization. Officially, the center was created to support and expand the Bibliotheca’s goals in promoting scholarly research and public understanding of Islam’s global impact (Bibliotheca Alexandrina, 2020).

Mission and Vision

Mission:

The center aspires to achieve the Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s overarching goals by promoting the universality of Islam, highlighting its message of tolerance, and recognizing the civilizational achievements that have shaped humanity. The aim is to foster ideals of acceptance, fraternity, and opposition to bigotry. The center seeks to create new spaces for interaction between Islamic thought and contemporary global issues, facilitate open discourse, and mobilize Islamic scholarship to address modern challenges through critical engagement and ijtihad (independent reasoning) (Center for Islamic Civilization Studies, n.d.).

Vision:

To contribute to the construction of a modern, systematic Islamic discourse that is both rooted in tradition and responsive to the complexities of the modern world, while engaging scholars and the public in positive, informed dialogue about Islamic civilization and its ongoing relevance (Center for Islamic Civilization Studies, n.d.).

Goals and Objectives

• Research Promotion: Encourage and train researchers to study and publish research on Islamic heritage, providing necessary resources and publication support.
• Networking and Collaboration: Facilitate communication among students, researchers, and organizations interested in Islamic civilization through conferences, workshops, and exhibitions.
• Public Engagement: Organize exhibitions, lectures, and community activities to spread awareness and facilitate engagement with Islamic history, arts, and literature.
• Knowledge Production: Prepare and disseminate specialized studies in science, arts, and literature related to Islamic civilization.
• Resource Development: Create and maintain a specialized database and provide consultations on matters related to Islamic heritage (Center for Islamic Civilization Studies, n.d.; Bibliotheca Alexandrina, 2020).

History

The Islamic Civilization Research Center, commonly referred to as IRCICA (Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture), was established as a subsidiary organ of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 1979. The proposal for its creation came from the Republic of Turkey during the 7th Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul in 1976, and the initiative was officially endorsed by the OIC under Resolution 3/7-ECS. IRCICA began its activities in 1980 after its first work program and budget were adopted at the Eleventh Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Islamabad, Pakistan. Over the years, IRCICA has absorbed other heritage preservation mandates, notably merging with the International Commission for the Preservation of Islamic Heritage (ICPICH) in 2000, thereby consolidating its role as a key institution for safeguarding and promoting Islamic culture and history worldwide (Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture, 2024; Wikipedia, 2022; Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture, 2009).

Location

IRCICA’s headquarters are located at Hoca Paşa Mahallesi, Alemdar Caddesi, No. 15, Bâbıâlî Girişi Cağaloğlu, 34110 Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey. The headquarters moved between different historical buildings in Istanbul, with extensive contributions from the Turkish government and restoration support from other prominent donors such as the United Arab Emirates. Currently, the main building also serves as an exhibition hall and houses library and research departments (Wikipedia, 2022; Federation of News Agencies of the OIC, 2025).

Financial Sponsors

IRCICA operates as a nonprofit research center and its principal financial support comes from OIC member states. Additional financial contributions have come from government allocations—such as major Turkish support for office space and restoration—and donations from other countries and individuals. For example, the Silahhane Building, which serves as the organization’s library, was restored with funds from the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and the Emir of Dubai (Wikipedia, 2022; Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture, 2009). IRCICA’s work is also supported by its 57 member states, which are part of the OIC; their support is both financial and institutional (Wikiwand, 2009).

Website and Contact Information

Address: Hoca Paşa Mahallesi, Alemdar Caddesi, No. 15, Bâbıâlî Girişi Cağaloğlu, 34110 Fatih, Istanbul, Türkiye

Phone: +90 212 402 0000

Fax: +90 212 258 4365

Email: ircica@ircica.org

Website: www.ircica.org (Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture, 2025)

Key Fields of Concentration (Research)

IRCICA focuses on diverse research fields related to Islamic civilization. These include Islamic history, exploring socio-political and cultural development across Muslim-majority regions; Islamic arts and architecture, studying calligraphy, visual arts, and heritage preservation; science and philosophy in Muslim societies, uncovering intellectual contributions; and the documentation and preservation of manuscripts and monuments, especially Qur’anic manuscripts and archaeological sites (Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture [IRCICA], 2024).

Activities and Contributions

The center organizes international conferences, symposiums, and training workshops aimed at promoting scholarship on Islamic civilization (IRCICA, 2024). It hosts the significant International Calligraphy Competition, elevating calligraphic arts and preserving traditional crafts (IRCICA, 2025). IRCICA also partners with organizations like UNESCO to aid heritage preservation and restoration projects, facilitating international cooperation and raising public awareness of Islamic cultural heritage (IRCICA, 2025). Furthermore, the center serves as a nexus for academic networking among OIC member states’ scholars and cultural institutions (IRCICA, 2024).

Publishing/Significant Reports=

IRCICA has a rich publishing record, including monographs, critical editions, and compilations of conference proceedings on Islamic culture, art, history, and heritage (IRCICA, 2025). Noteworthy are its publications on Islamic cultural heritage assessments, exhibition catalogues, and textual studies of Qur’anic manuscripts. Its scholarly outputs provide valuable references for researchers worldwide and reflect ongoing developments in the field (IRCICA, 2025) .</ref>

Impacts

By preserving and promoting Islamic civilization’s scholarly and cultural heritage, IRCICA strengthens Muslim societies' cultural identities and contributes globally to intercultural dialogue. Its work in heritage conservation protects tangible and intangible assets, while its academic activities encourage critical research and understanding, supporting sustainable cultural and economic development in member states (IRCICA, 2024; IRCICA, 2025).

Prominent research figures

The Islamic Civilization Research Center, known as IRCICA (Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture), features several prominent research figures including its current Director General, Ambassador Prof. Mahmud Erol Kılıç, who oversees its academic and cultural programs (OIC IRCICA, 2024). Other key scholars involved in IRCICA's activities include Dr. Gassim Ibrahim from Cameroon and Prof. Hamadou Adama from the University of Ngaoundéré, who coordinate important international conferences, such as the 2024 conference on Islamic learning and scholarship in Central and West Africa (IRCICA, 2024). These researchers contribute to IRCICA's extensive work in documenting the contributions of Muslim scholars, philosophers, and intellectual traditions across various regions (IRCICA, 2025).

Relations to the Islamic world

IRCICA maintains strong relations to the Islamic world as it functions as a subsidiary organ of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), serving all 57 member states. It promotes research on the history of the Islamic world’s art, science, culture, and civilization through cooperation with member states’ governments, academic institutions, and cultural bodies (Wikipedia, 2022). Headquarters located in Istanbul symbolize its central role within the Muslim world’s intellectual and heritage studies network (ICHERISHEHER, 2025).

Partnerships

Moreover, IRCICA has established extensive partnerships with governments (such as the Republic of Cameroon and Turkey), ministries of culture, universities, and international organizations, including the OIC General Secretariat and UNESCO. These partnerships facilitate joint conferences, research projects, cultural preservation, and training programs to safeguard Islamic heritage and promote scholarship globally (IRCICA, 2024. History and mission. IRCICA. https://www.ircica.org/history-mission</ref>; IRCICA, 2025). The center also cooperates with permanent representatives of the OIC member states who participate in governance and program development (Wikipedia, 2022).