The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has joined a host of prominent Islamic leaders from across the globe at a high-level summit in Oxford, marking the 40th anniversary of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS).
The two-day event, which also featured the Centre’s Annual General Meeting of the Board of Trustees, was formally declared open by its Grand Patron, His Majesty King Charles III, at a ceremony attended by scholars, diplomats, and royals.
Among the distinguished participants were the former President of Turkey, Abdullah Gül; Saudi royal and former intelligence chief Prince Turki Al-Faisal; and the Sultan of Perak, Nazrin Shah of Malaysia—all of whom, alongside the Sultan of Sokoto, serve on the Board of Trustees of the Centre.
A statement issued by Dr Danladi Bako, a member of the Sultan’s delegation, underscored the Centre’s mission of fostering interfaith dialogue, academic scholarship, Islamic finance, environmental ethics, and the empowerment of Muslim youth, particularly in Britain.
In his address to the gathering, Sultan Abubakar called on global citizens—especially in Africa—to uphold peace and mutual understanding as cornerstones of coexistence. “Islam remains a religion of peace,” he said. “We must embrace dialogue and harmony if we are to build truly inclusive societies.”
The Sultan, Nigeria’s foremost traditional and religious leader, emphasised the continued relevance of Islamic principles in promoting global stability, especially amid rising tensions across regions.
Accompanying him on the trip to the United Kingdom was his Sarkin Fada, Alhaji Kabir Aminu Tafida. The delegation’s presence at the summit highlights Nigeria’s growing role in global Islamic scholarship and diplomacy.
Founded in 1985, the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies has become a hub for cross-cultural exchange, drawing students and thinkers from around the world to engage with the intellectual traditions of Islam in the heart of the University of Oxford.
