The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, joined prominent Muslim world leaders at a high-level summit held at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) in Oxford, England.
The two-day gathering, which commenced on Thursday, also marked the 40th anniversary of the Centre’s establishment, celebrating four decades of fostering scholarly and interfaith dialogue.
The conference was declared open by the Centre’s Grand Patron, His Majesty King Charles III, in a ceremony graced by global dignitaries and Islamic leaders. Notable attendees included former Turkish President Abdullah Gül, Saudi Prince Turki Al-Faisal, and Sultan Nazrin Shah of Malaysia, all of whom serve as members of the Centre’s Board of Trustees alongside Sultan Saad.
As part of the summit, the Centre held its Annual General Meeting of the Board of Trustees. The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies has become a global beacon for intellectual and cultural engagement. Its core mission includes promoting interfaith dialogue, Islamic finance, environmental stewardship, academic fellowships, and nurturing leadership among young Muslims in Britain and beyond.
In his address following the meeting, Sultan Saad Abubakar underscored the importance of global peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding. “Citizens of the world, especially in Africa, must consistently choose peace and dialogue as the pathway to coexistence,” he stated. “Islam is, and will always remain, a religion of peace. We must promote social harmony and build bridges across our differences.”
The Sultan was accompanied to the summit by a member of his inner council, the Sarkin Fada, Alhaji Kabir Aminu Tafida. Dr. Danladi Bako, OON, a senior member of the Sultan’s delegation, also confirmed the Sultan’s participation and the significance of the summit for Nigeria’s representation in global Islamic scholarship and diplomacy.
The OCIS, affiliated with the University of Oxford, continues to serve as a vital platform for engagement between the Islamic world and Western academic institutions, shaping discussions around civilization, religion, and global development.
