Professor Tariq Ramadan, Research Fellow at St Antony's College, has been appointed His Highness Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Chair in Contemporary Islamic Studies.

His role will begin on 1st September 2009. 

Prof. Ramadan is a world-renowned scholar. He has previously worked on a government task force devising policies to counter Islamic extremism in Britain.

Ramadan expressed gratitude for his appointment and commented, "such a chair is very much needed today and I am personally committed to making Oxford a centre of excellence on contemporary Islamic issues with worldwide academic connection."

The Chair of the Faculty of Oriental Studies Jeremy Johns said, "Professor Ramadan will add a new dimension to our teaching and research, and ensure that the work of the Faculty will in future have direct impact upon contemporary debates and developments."