Capitals of Islamic culture and the Centre of Islamic Civilisation
Answers are for parents and teachers.
1
Explain in 4–5 sentences what ISESCO is and its “Capital of Islamic Culture” programme.
The organisation is in the OIC system, declares several cities each year from 2005; the aim is cultural ties and the study of heritage.
2
Find information on one other Capital of Islamic Culture and show how it meets ISESCO’s criteria.
For example Fes (al-Qarawiyyin), Cairo or Isfahan; the criteria relate to monuments and research centres.
3
List three tasks of the Centre of Islamic Civilisation and write how they benefit scholarship.
Tasks: studying heritage, building collections, international cooperation; they give researchers sources.
4
Make a table on the ancient universities (al-Qarawiyyin, al-Azhar, the House of Wisdom): place, period of founding, subjects taught.
Data should come from reliable sources and “approximately” may be used for dates.
5
Exam style: write a short answer with 3 pieces of evidence on “reasons for Tashkent being declared a Capital of Islamic Culture”.
Evidence: historical scholars, monuments (Hazrati Imam, madrasas), manuscripts and research centres.