British universities receive Saudi funds

JEDDAH: Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has been the largest source of donations from Islamic states and royal families to British universities, much of which is devoted to the study of Islam, the Middle East and Arabic literature.

A large share of this money went toward establishing Islamic study centers. In 2008, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal donated 8 million (SR 48.5 million) each to Cambridge and Edinburgh for this purpose, Al-Eqtisadiah business daily reported yesterday.

Oxford has been the largest British beneficiary of Saudi support. In 2005, Prince Sultan, the late crown prince, gave 2 million (SR 12 million) to the Ashmolean Museum. In 2001, the King Abdul Aziz Foundation gave 1 million (SR 6.1 million) to the Middle East Center.

There are many other donors. Oxford's 75 million (SR 454.6 million) Islamic Studies Center was supported by 12 Muslim countries. Ruler of Oman, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, gave 3.1 million (SR 18.8 million) to Cambridge to fund two posts, including a chair of Arabic. (continue reading...)