Dominican Institute for Oriental Studies

Dominican Institute for Oriental Studies

The Dominican Institute for Oriental Studies (fr.: Institut dominicain d'études orientales) or IDEO is a basic research centre located in Cairo. Its research field covers the ten first centuries of Islam.

Contents

History

The Dominican Institute for Oriental Studies was founded in the early 50's, after the Second World War came to an end. However, the project of a research centre on the Arab-Muslim world had been maturing in France since 1937. This idea was born out of the curiosity of three young Dominican Brothers on one hand, and of the Vatican's wish to bring closer Islam and Christendom on the other hand. When the international situation eventually calmed down, Georges Shehata Anawati, Serge de Beaurecueil and Jacques Jomier settled in Cairo's convent and established the Institute. Egypt appeared a fertile ground to these researchers due to its intense cultural activity and the proximity of al-Azhar University, the main reference of the Sunni world.

IDEO nowadays

Gathering about thirty members originating from more than ten different countries, IDEO's mission is now carried out in three important areas:

Academic research

IDEO is an active research centre gathered around a vast and common project: studying the original texts of the ten first centuries of Islam. The large extent of the considered period allows a diversified range of specialisation such as Arabic grammar, Ottoman Sufism or Mamluk cuisine! IDEO's reputation owes a lot to its members' great intellectual qualities; many of them are teachers in renowned universities and all regularly write for scientific journals. They also contribute to the Institute's revue, the MIDEO (Mélanges de l'Institut dominicain d'études orientales), which provides articles and a critical report of the editions of the Arabic texts that is very appreciated by the scientific community.

The library

The library is undoubtedly the cornerstone of IDEO. Providing access to over 150,000 volumes and many magazines, it offers valuable resources to students in Islamic studies. A new building, inaugurated in 2002, now houses the reading rooms, the aisles and the employees' offices. Their aim is to catalogue thoroughly the books by using a software application specifically designed by IDEO for the treatment of Arab texts. IDEO can also accommodate researchers wishing to stay in Cairo for a long time and offers them, in a privileged atmosphere, comfort and accessibility to the library resources.

Interfaith dialogue and introduction to Islam

Beyond the scientific and academic activity, which reflects a genuine open-mindedness to Islam, IDEO is a partner of choice in the field of interreligious dialogue. In Egypt, the Institute organises annual summer-seminars introducing the young Dominicans to Islam. It also has close ties with religious authorities in Cairo and in the Middle East, including of course the University of al-Azhar and the Coptic Church. In France, IDEO is very involved in the session of introduction to Islam that takes place in Lille and is attended by young Dominicans. Besides, its members give lectures and hold seminars in Europe and around the world (France, Belgium, Indonesia, Brazil ...).

References

  • Dominique Avon, Les Frères prêcheurs en Orient : Les Dominicains du Caire, années 1910 – années 1960, Cerf/Histoire, 2005 Online extracts

External links


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