THE OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
The principal activites of the charity are dedicated to the encouragement by academic means of a more informed understanding of the culture and civilization of Islam and of contemporary Muslim societies. For these purposes the Centre is committed to the promotion of scholarship, teaching, research, publication and dialogue and co-operation in the world of learning.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that total consolidated funds decreased slightly from £217.5m to £215.6m, with unrestricted funds in surplus at £3.9m. However, the trustees note that free reserves in the general fund are approximately £700k, which is below their stated policy target of nine months' expenditure (c. £3.8m), and that further substantial funds will need to be raised in the future to attain a sufficient free reserves position.
What the accounts disclose
“leaving c£700k as free reserves in the general fund at the year-end date. The Trustees aim to maintain reserves of not more than nine months expenditure c £3.8m. The trustees remain mindful that further substantial funds will therefore need to be raised in the future to attain sufficient free reserves and operating surplus position in the general fund.”
“The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies owns four subsidiary companies namely Oxcis Limited, Oxford Endeavours Limited, Oxford Real Estate Limited and Oxford Islamic Finance Limited.” — page 6
In the news
- Apply to Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowship
- Chevening Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Fellowship Program
- Djamaa El-Djazair Rector, Minister Baddari co-chair signing of "Emir Abdelkader Chair" agreement at Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
- MWL Secretary-General Participates in Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Experts Group Meeting
- MWL secretary-general participates in Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies experts group meeting
- Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali hosts Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies delegation
- PM receives Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies delegation
- Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies marks 40 years with celebration in Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia
Corporate structure
- Trading subsidiary: OXFORD ENDEAVOURS LIMITED Companies House 04615092 · Financial health read from its filings
- Trading subsidiary: OXFORD REAL ESTATE LIMITED Companies House 04684290 · Financial health read from its filings
- Trading subsidiary: OXFORD ISLAMIC FINANCE LIMITED Companies House 04980174
- Equity: £201k
- Debtors include £4,267 owed by group undertakings.
- Donated/gift-aided to the charity: £750k
- Amounts owed to group undertakings: £3,543,834 (2025) / £3,423,649 (2024)
“The company distributes its taxable profits to its parent charity each year. An amount of £750,000 is to be paid over by the company within 9 months of the year end date, which will cover the taxable profits generated for the period ended 31st March 2025.”
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (01/08/2024)
Trustees
- Dr Catherine Swales
- HE Sheikh Dr Meshaal Jaber Al Sabah
- HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani
- HH DR SHAIKH MOHAMMED SABAH AL-SALEM AL-SABAH
- HRH Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
- HRH PRINCE TURKI AL-FAISAL BIN ABDUL AZI
- His Eminence Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar
- KHALID AHMAD YOUSUF ALIREZA
- PRESIDENT ABDULLAH GUL
- RT HON DOMINIC GRIEVE QC MP
- Robert Hannigan
- Sir Martin Donnelly KCB, CMG
- Sultan RAJA DR NAZRIN SHAH PHD
- Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £6.0m | £8.1m |
| 31/03/2024 | £4.1m | £6.4m |
| 31/03/2023 | £4.8m | £7.6m |
| 31/03/2022 | £5.3m | £5.1m |
| 31/03/2021 | £8.6m | £4.6m |
Common questions
Is THE OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that total consolidated funds decreased slightly from £217.5m to £215.6m, with unrestricted funds in surplus at £3.9m. However, the trustees note that free reserves in the general fund are approximately £700k, which is below their stated policy target of nine months' expenditure (c. £3.8m), and that further substantial funds will need to be raised in the future to attain a sufficient free reserves position. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Wenn Townsend.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| AGA KHAN FOUNDATION (UNITED KINGDOM) | 1 | £540k |
| THE LADY FATEMAH (A.S.) CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £520k |
Charities like this
- JAMIAT-UL-MUSLEMEEN QUWAT-UL-ISLAM MASJED
- CENTRAL OXFORD MOSQUE SOCIETY
- THE OXFORD CENTRE FOR HINDU STUDIES
- MARKAZ UD DAWAT WAL IRSHAD LONDON UK MUSLIM COMMUNITY CENTRE
- THE INSTITUTE OF ISMAILI STUDIES
- MUSLIM CULTURAL & WELFARE ASSOCIATION OF SUTTON (MCWAS)
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES | £6.0m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |
| JAMIAT-UL-MUSLEMEEN QUWAT-UL-ISLAM MASJED | £388k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CENTRAL OXFORD MOSQUE SOCIETY | £311k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE OXFORD CENTRE FOR HINDU STUDIES | £1.1m | — | 0 | unclear | — | noted |
| MARKAZ UD DAWAT WAL IRSHAD LONDON UK MUSLIM COMMUNITY CENTRE | £358k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE INSTITUTE OF ISMAILI STUDIES | £19.7m | £235,000 - £239,999 | — | within | — | no doubt |