Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies

The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) was founded in 1985 as an independent institution for the advanced study of Islam and the Muslim world. It is a registered charity (no. 293072) and a Recognised Independent Centre of the University of Oxford. The Centre received a Royal Charter in 2012 and its current Patron is King Charles III. While primarily an academic and research institution — hosting lectures, seminars, fellowships and exhibitions — its purpose-built complex on Marston Road also incorporates a mosque that serves worshippers.

The Marston Road complex, designed by the Egyptian architect Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil, was largely completed in the mid-2010s and blends the architecture of traditional Oxford colleges with classical Islamic forms. Built using traditional load-bearing masonry rather than concrete, it is crowned by a roughly 10-metre-wide brick dome and a minaret that form a distinctive addition to the Oxford skyline.

The OCIS Mosque opened in March 2016 for congregational as well as Jumu'ah (Friday) prayers. According to the Centre, the mosque "is open for all daily congregational prayers," with doors opening 15 minutes before each congregation. The Centre also offers community education programmes including Qur'anic Arabic (tajwid), beginners' Qur'an recitation, and an essentials of Islamic worship course.