FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES
National Network
Egypt
Address
1 El-Tarabishi Street, Abassiah, CairoCountry
City
CairoMobile Phone
+201282114421Telephone
+20 128 211 4421E-Mail (2)
direction@ideo-cairo.orgWebsite
Click HereYear of Establishment
1953Contact Person1
Emmanuel PISANIJob Title 1
Director of InstituteContact Person 2
Dahlia ABDELMEGUIDJob Title 2
EU Projects ManagerOrganisation Type
Public/Private Non-Profit FoundationFields of Activity
Human rights, ReligionGeneral Information
The Dominican Institute for Oriental Studies (IDEO) is a world-renowned research center located in Cairo’s Abbasiya district, dedicated to the scientific study of Islamic heritage and interreligious dialogue. Founded in 1953 by Dominican friars—including the influential Egyptian philosopher Georges Anawati—the institute was built on the principle of understanding Islam through its own primary sources rather than through the lens of polemics or conversion. Today, it serves as an essential bridge between Western and Islamic scholarship, maintaining deep ties with local institutions like Al-Azhar University and providing a neutral, rigorous space for intellectual exchange in the heart of the Arab world.
The crown jewel of the institute is its specialized library, which is considered one of the most important private collections for Islamic studies globally, now housing nearly 300,000 bibliographic records. This collection focuses heavily on the first ten centuries of Islam, offering researchers rare access to classical texts on philosophy, theology, and linguistics. As of early 2026, IDEO continues to be a vibrant center for high-level academic activity; it is currently overseeing projects for its prestigious annual journal, MIDEO, and preparing for significant international conferences, such as the upcoming June 2026 symposium on the history of Catholic scholarship regarding Islamic mysticism.
Mission and Objectives
The fundamental mission of the Dominican Institute of Oriental Studies (Idéo) is to explore the theological and philosophical heritage of Islam and the richness of Islamic cultures. This task is carried out within Egyptian society thanks to the immersion of its researchers, Dominicans and lay people, who reside in Cairo, with the aim of fostering a theology which encourages fraternal communion with Muslims by highlighting the truths inscribed in their religious traditions.
Main Projects / Activities
The main projects and activities of the Dominican Institute for Oriental Studies (IDEO) are centered on bridging the gap between historical scholarship and modern interreligious dialogue. A primary focus is the Anawati Chair, which leads educational initiatives such as the "Islam and Other Religions" certificate program and seminars on critical methodology. In 2026, the Chair is particularly active in hosting workshops for students from Al-Azhar and other institutions, aiming to deconstruct extremist narratives through the study of religious sciences and humanities. This is complemented by high-level academic events, such as the international conference scheduled for June 2026 titled "Of Priests and Sufis," which explores the history of Catholic scholarship on Islamic mysticism.
On the research front, the institute’s flagship publication, MIDEO (Mélanges de l’Institut Dominicain d’Études Orientales), continues to be a cornerstone of Islamology. The 2026 volume investigates the "literal meaning" of scriptures across Christian and Muslim traditions, while a major multi-year project is currently dedicated to the classical grammarian Sībawayh. To support this work, IDEO manages the BIDEO library, which houses nearly 300,000 bibliographic records. Current digital projects involve the "Diamond-ILS" cataloging system and a collaborative effort with the Institute of Arabic Manuscripts (IMA) to merge databases, giving researchers unprecedented access to both printed works and manuscript references in a single unified platform.
Finally, IDEO serves as a vital training ground through its doctoral workshops and fellowships. In partnership with institutions like the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology (IFAO), the institute offers pre-doctoral scholarships and hosting for international researchers. These activities are designed to mentor a new generation of scholars in modern research techniques while they live and work within the cultural heart of Cairo, ensuring that the study of the first ten centuries of Islam remains both scientifically rigorous and relevant to contemporary global conversations.
How can you contribute to the Network in your country?
The IDEO can contribute to the ALF Network in Egypt by providing its long-standing academic and cultural expertise in the fields of interreligious dialogue, Islamic studies, and Christian–Muslim relations.
Based in Cairo for over 70 years, the Institute works at the intersection of research, education, and cultural mediation, and regularly collaborates with Egyptian universities, research centers, and religious institutions.
For the past ten years, IDEO has been supported by the Delegation of the European Union in Cairo, enabling it to develop robust programs in intercultural dialogue. Within the framework of the Anawati Chair (2023–2027), IDEO has established partnerships with Al-Azhar University, the American University in Cairo, the British University in Egypt, the Institute of Arabic Manuscripts, the Hindawi Foundation, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Through seminars, conferences, and summer schools, students from diverse Egyptian backgrounds have been able to participate and join exchange networks, not only within Egypt but also across the Mediterranean region.
Through these activities and its unique library and research resources, IDEO can actively support the Network’s objectives of promoting intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding, and the prevention of extremism.
Why do you want to join the ALF Network?
IDEO wishes to join the Anna Lindh Foundation Network because its mission closely aligns with the Foundation’s core values of dialogue, cultural exchange, and peaceful coexistence in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
As an academic institution dedicated to fostering informed and respectful engagement between cultures and religions, IDEO sees the ALF Network as a valuable platform for collaboration, exchange of best practices, and joint initiatives with civil society and academic actors.
Membership in the Network would allow IDEO to strengthen its engagement with regional partners, contribute its expertise to collective projects, and enhance the impact of its work in promoting mutual understanding and social cohesion.