University of Sharjah honours winners of Award for Excellence in Islamic Studies

Under the theme “Resolving Contentions around the Hadith of al-Bukhari and Muslim,” the University of Sharjah has announced the winners of its prestigious Award for Excellence in Islamic Studies for the academic year 2024/2025.

This year’s prize was awarded jointly to Professor Mohamed Odeh Ahmed Al-Houri from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Professor Mohamed Sayed Ahmed Shehata from the Arab Republic of Egypt. The award ceremony was organized by the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies and held with the patronage of Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education in Scotland.

The event drew senior figures from academia and public life. Among those in attendance were Professor Esameldin Agamy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah; Sultan Matar Bin Dalmouk Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah Foundation in Sharjah; Mirza Hussein Al Sayegh, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al-Maktoum College; and Professor Kotb Rissouni, Dean of the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at the University of Sharjah.

The ceremony opened with the UAE national anthem, followed by a recitation from the Qur’an. The two award recipients were then honoured for their scholarly contributions, alongside the award sponsors and members of the scientific committee responsible for evaluating and judging the submissions.

The Award for Excellence in Islamic Studies is recognized as an international accolade organized annually by the University of Sharjah’s College of Sharia and Islamic Studies under the patronage of the

Chancellor, Prof. Esameldin Agamy. It is presented to distinguished researchers in recognition of their peer-reviewed and published work in specialized fields of Islamic jurisprudence. The award aims to foster innovation in Islamic studies.

The award ceremony attracted a distinguished gathering of academics and officials from across the country. Among them were Dr. Ali Abdullah Saif Hilal Al Naqbi, Chancellor of the University of Khorfakkan; Abdullah Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of Dubai Human Resources Department and CEO of Dar Al Ber Society; Dr. Mohammad Salem Al-Janibi, Director of the UAE Red Crescent Authority in Sharjah; Colonel Abdullah Al-Malih from Sharjah Police Sciences Academy; Khalifa Hassan Khalaf, Director of the Quran Channel and Radio Sharjah; Dr. Abdullah Khalaf Al-Hosani, Secretary-General of the Quran Complex in Sharjah; Dr. Ahmed Al-Haddad, Director of the Fatwa Department at Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department; Dr. Mousa Khoury, Adviser to Dubai Executive Council; Professor Abdel Halim Mansour, Dean of the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Al Qasimia University; and Professor Ibrahim Rababaah, Dean of Islamic Studies at Al Wasl University. The event also included university vice chancellors, scholars, officials, and Islamic studies enthusiasts.