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The International Institute of Islamic Thought

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The International Institute of Islamic Thought

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) is a prominent non-profit organization established in 1981, headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, USA. It serves as a platform for Muslim thinkers, scholars, and practitioners, focusing on the humanities and social sciences. IIIT aims to promote a modern and diverse interpretation of Islamic thought while addressing contemporary challenges faced by Muslim societies globally.

Mission and Vision

  • Vision: IIIT envisions thriving societies where individuals can realize their full potential through transformative learning and social development.
  • Mission: The institute's mission is to conduct and disseminate educational research that empowers Muslim societies with data-driven recommendations for transformative educational policies and practices[1].

Goals and Objectives

IIIT has several key goals[2]:

  • Conduct Evidence-Based Research: Focus on advancing education in Muslim societies.
  • Disseminate Research: Through publications, translations, teaching, and policy recommendations.
  • Explore Educational Issues: Address the intersection of policy, pedagogy, curricula, governance, and impact evaluation.
  • Renew Islamic Thought: Theoretically research to rejuvenate the role of Islamic thought in education[3].

Establishment and Founders

IIIT was founded in 1981 by Ismail Raji al-Faruqi, a Palestinian-American scholar, and Anwar Ibrahim, a Malaysian politician and current Prime Minister. Both founders are recognized for their significant contributions to Islamic intellectual discourse and educational reform (International Institute of Islamic Thought, 2025)[4].

Financial Sponsors

As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit in the United States, IIIT is primarily funded through donations, grants, and charitable contributions. Specific financial sponsors are not publicly listed, but the organization relies on support from individuals, foundations, and possibly institutional grants (International Institute of Islamic Thought, 2025)[5].

Website and Contact Information

• Official website: iiit.org • Contact information is available through the website's contact forms (International Institute of Islamic Thought, 2025)[6].

Historical Context

Founded by prominent figures such as Ismail al-Faruqi and Anwar Ibrahim, IIIT emerged as a response to the need for a structured approach to Islamic scholarship that aligns with contemporary realities. The institute has positioned itself as a leader in the revival and reform of Islamic thought, aiming to bridge traditional Islamic teachings with modern academic discourse[7][8].

Activities and Contributions

IIIT engages in various activities that include[9]:

  • Research and Publications: Producing scholarly works that contribute to the understanding of Islamic thought.
  • Conferences and Workshops: Organizing events that foster dialogue among scholars from diverse backgrounds.
  • Educational Initiatives: Running programs like The Fairfax Institute (TFI), which focuses on educational development within an Islamic framework[10].

The institute also emphasizes the importance of interfaith dialogue and social justice, aiming to dismantle stereotypes associated with Islam while promoting coexistence among different communities[11].

Global Reach

With branches in various countries, IIIT operates as a global think tank. Its influence extends beyond the United States, engaging with scholars worldwide to address pressing issues related to Islamic thought and its application in contemporary society. The London office, established in 1987, plays a significant role in producing English-language publications and organizing events across Europe[12].

Prominent Research Figures

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) was founded by Ismail al-Faruqi, a Palestinian-American scholar, and Anwar Ibrahim, a Malaysian politician and current Prime Minister (International Institute of Islamic Thought, 2025; en.wikivahdat.com, 2022). Other notable figures associated with IIIT include Ermin Sinanović, who has served as director and contributed to shaping the institute’s research direction (International Institute of Islamic Thought, 2025[13]; Wikipedia, 2025)[14].

Key Fields of Concentration (Research)

IIIT’s research focuses on:

  • Educational reform in Muslim societies: Advancing evidence-based education and policy recommendations (International Institute of Islamic Thought, 2025)[15].
  • Humanities and social sciences: Addressing contemporary challenges through Islamic perspectives in fields such as anthropology, economics, history, philosophy, politics, psychology, and law (IIIT Journals, 2024)[16]
  • Renewal of Islamic thought: Integrating traditional Islamic knowledge with modern academic disciplines and promoting methodological reform, including the concept and practice of ijtihad (creative intellectual reasoning) (IIIT Journals, 2024)[17].
  • Interfaith dialogue and social justice: Fostering coexistence and dismantling stereotypes about Islam.

Relations to the Islamic World

IIIT operates as a global think tank with branches and affiliates in countries such as Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Kingdom, Jordan, Morocco, and Egypt (InfluenceWatch, 2024)[18]. Its work aims to empower Muslim societies worldwide and bridge traditional Islamic teachings with modern academic discourse. The institute also seeks to create a unified Islamic intellectual movement by engaging with scholars and institutions across the Islamic world.

Publishing/Significant Reports

IIIT publishes several peer-reviewed journals and books:

  • American Journal of Islam and Society (AJIS): Covers a wide range of topics on Islam and Muslim societies, including social sciences and humanities (IIIT Journals, 2024)[19].
  • Al-Fikr al-Islāmī al-Muʿāṣir and Contemporary Islamic Thought Journal (CITJ): Focus on methodological reform and intellectual renewal in Islamic thought (IIIT Journals, 2024)[20].
  • Journal on Education in Muslim Societies (JEMS): Published in partnership with Indiana University Press, addressing educational issues in Muslim contexts (IIIT Journals, 2024).

These publications facilitate scholarly exchange and contribute to the development of critical methodologies and policies relevant to Muslim societies (IIIT Journals, 2024)[21].

Impacts and Partnerships from Iran’s Perspective

While direct, formal partnerships between IIIT and Iranian institutions are not detailed in the search results, the institute’s global engagement and emphasis on intellectual reform resonate with Iran’s own academic and religious discourse, which values methodological innovation and the integration of Islamic and modern knowledge. Iranian scholars and institutions, such as Al-Mustafa International University, have engaged in similar international academic collaborations, indicating a shared interest in educational and intellectual exchange (UIII, 2022)[22]. IIIT’s commitment to interfaith dialogue, educational reform, and the renewal of Islamic thought aligns with the objectives of many Iranian academic and religious organizations, suggesting a foundation for potential or informal cooperation (UIII, 2022)[23].

Critique and Hidden Objectives

1. Intellectual and Ideological Divergence

Iranian scholars and political theorists emphasize a distinct Shiite political theology centered on Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist), which is foundational to the Islamic Republic’s governance model. IIIT, as a non-denominational organization based in the U.S., promotes a broader, often Sunni-majority-oriented reformist Islamic thought that integrates modern academic disciplines and educational reform. From the Iranian viewpoint, this can be seen as an intellectual project that may implicitly challenge or sideline the specific jurisprudential and political theories foundational to Iran’s system (al-Sayyad & Alwadai, 2023)[24].

2. Concerns about Western Influence and Intellectual Dependence

Some Iranian critiques, reflective of broader concerns about Western intellectual dominance, view institutions like IIIT as part of a global Islamic reformist movement that may be influenced by Western academic paradigms and funding sources. This can lead to skepticism about whether IIIT’s work fully aligns with or supports the revolutionary and theological principles that underpin Iran’s model of Islamic governance (Anonymous, 2023)[25].

3. Potential for Intellectual Fragmentation

IIIT’s emphasis on pluralism and methodological reform, including engagement with secular academic disciplines and interfaith dialogue, might be perceived in Iran as diluting the revolutionary and Shiite-specific character of Islamic thought. This could be seen as contributing to fragmentation or weakening of the unified political-religious ideology that Iran promotes (al-Sayyad & Alwadai, 2023)[26].

4. Neo-Sadrism and Revival of Islamic Knowledge

Iranian academic discourse sometimes links IIIT’s intellectual currents with neo-Sadrism—a movement inspired by Iraqi Shiite thinker Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr—which seeks to revive Islamic knowledge in ways that differ from Iran’s clerical establishment. This suggests a nuanced view in Iran that IIIT supports alternative Shiite intellectual trends that may compete with or complement Iran’s dominant religious-political ideology (Journal of Islamic Awakening Studies, 2023)[27].

Summary

In sum, from an Iranian perspective, IIIT’s work is often viewed with a degree of caution or critique due to its non-denominational approach, Western base, and emphasis on pluralistic reform. These factors may be seen as diverging from or potentially challenging Iran’s specific Shiite political theology and the centrality of Velayat-e Faqih. While IIIT promotes educational and intellectual renewal in the Muslim world, Iran’s critique highlights concerns about ideological coherence, sovereignty of Shiite political thought, and the influence of Western paradigms on Islamic scholarship (Al-Sayyad & Alwadai, 2023[28]; Journal of Islamic Awakening Studies, 2023)[29].

Conclusion

The International Institute of Islamic Thought stands out as a vital institution dedicated to the intellectual revival of Islam. By fostering research, promoting educational initiatives, and facilitating scholarly dialogue, IIIT aims to empower Muslim societies while contributing positively to global discourse on Islam. Its commitment to modernity, diversity, and coexistence reflects its pivotal role in shaping contemporary Islamic thought.

References

  1. ↑ The International Institute of Islamic Thought, London Office, UK website, “About Us.” IIIT, https://iiit.org/en/about-us/. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.
  2. ↑ “International Institute of Islamic Thought.” Wikipedia, 4 Dec. 2024. Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Institute_of_Islamic_Thought&oldid=1261137738.
  3. ↑ The International Institute of Islamic Thought, London Office, UK website, “About Us.” IIIT, https://iiit.org/en/about-us/. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.
  4. ↑ International Institute of Islamic Thought. (2025). International Institute of Islamic Thought - Wikipedia.
  5. ↑ International Institute of Islamic Thought. (2025). International Institute of Islamic Thought - Wikipedia.
  6. ↑ International Institute of Islamic Thought. (2025). International Institute of Islamic Thought - Wikipedia.
  7. ↑ “International Institute of Islamic Thought.” Wikipedia, 4 Dec. 2024. Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Institute_of_Islamic_Thought&oldid=1261137738.
  8. ↑ Spannaus, Nathan. “From ‘Islamization of Knowledge’ to ‘American Islam’: The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT).” Modern Islamic Authority and Social Change, Volume 2: Evolving Debates in the West, edited by Masooda Bano, Edinburgh University Press, 2018, pp. 97–122. Cambridge University Press, https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/modern-islamic-authority-and-social-change-volume-2/from-islamization-of-knowledge-to-american-islam-the-international-institute-of-islamic-thought-iiit/BED62A8D76446BC7A886DBC4B5C2DBD7.
  9. ↑ The International Institute of Islamic Thought, London Office, UK website, “Home.” IIIT, https://iiit.org/en/home/. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.
  10. ↑ Spannaus, Nathan. “From ‘Islamization of Knowledge’ to ‘American Islam’: The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT).” Modern Islamic Authority and Social Change, Volume 2: Evolving Debates in the West, edited by Masooda Bano, Edinburgh University Press, 2018, pp. 97–122. Cambridge University Press, https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/modern-islamic-authority-and-social-change-volume-2/from-islamization-of-knowledge-to-american-islam-the-international-institute-of-islamic-thought-iiit/BED62A8D76446BC7A886DBC4B5C2DBD7.
  11. ↑ International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT). https://www2.naz.edu/international-institute-islamic-thought-iiit/www2.naz.edu/international-institute-islamic-thought-iiit/. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.
  12. ↑ “International Institute of Islamic Thought.” Wikipedia, 4 Dec. 2024. Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Institute_of_Islamic_Thought&oldid=1261137738.
  13. ↑ International Institute of Islamic Thought. (2025). International Institute of Islamic Thought - Wikipedia.
  14. ↑ Wikipedia. (2025). International Institute of Islamic Thought.
  15. ↑ International Institute of Islamic Thought. (2025). International Institute of Islamic Thought - Wikipedia.
  16. ↑ IIIT Journals. (2024). Journals – Open Access - IIIT.
  17. ↑ IIIT Journals. (2024). Journals – Open Access - IIIT.
  18. ↑ InfluenceWatch. (2024). Institute for International Islamic Thought (IIIT).
  19. ↑ IIIT Journals. (2024). Journals – Open Access - IIIT.
  20. ↑ IIIT Journals. (2024). Journals – Open Access - IIIT.
  21. ↑ IIIT Journals. (2024). Journals – Open Access - IIIT.
  22. ↑ UIII. (2022). UIII to Establish Research Collaboration with Iran.
  23. ↑ UIII. (2022). UIII to Establish Research Collaboration with Iran.
  24. ↑ Al-Sayyad, M. S., & Alwadai, S. (2023). Shiite political theology and the crisis of legitimacy in Iran. Rasanah - International Institute for Iranian Studies. https://rasanah-iiis.org/english/centre-for-researches-and-studies/shiite-political-theology-and-the-crisis-of-legitimacy-in-iran/ 1
  25. ↑ Anonymous. (2023). Constructing an axis of evil: Iranian memoirs in the “land of the free.” AJIS. https://www.ajis.org/index.php/ajiss/article/view/377
  26. ↑ al-Sayyad, M. S., & Alwadai, S. (2023). Shiite political theology and the crisis of legitimacy in Iran. Rasanah - International Institute for Iranian Studies. https://rasanah-iiis.org/english/centre-for-researches-and-studies/shiite-political-theology-and-the-crisis-of-legitimacy-in-iran/ 1
  27. ↑ Journal of Islamic Awakening Studies. (2023). Capacities of the neo-Sadrism in reviving Islamic knowledge in the Islamic world with emphasis on the International Institute of Islamic Thought
  28. ↑ Al-Sayyad, M. S., & Alwadai, S. (2023). Shiite political theology and the crisis of legitimacy in Iran. Rasanah - International Institute for Iranian Studies. https://rasanah-iiis.org/english/centre-for-researches-and-studies/shiite-political-theology-and-the-crisis-of-legitimacy-in-iran/ 1
  29. ↑ Journal of Islamic Awakening Studies. (2023). Capacities of the neo-Sadrism in reviving Islamic knowledge in the Islamic world with emphasis on the International Institute of Islamic Thought
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