# Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia

> Iranian research institute

**Wikidata**: [Q5059946](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5059946)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_for_the_Great_Islamic_Encyclopedia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/center-for-the-great-islamic-encyclopedia

## Summary
The Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia (CGIE) is an Iranian research institute established in 1984 by Kazem Mousavi-Bojnourdi to conduct systematic investigation and generate knowledge. Functioning as both a research institute and a publishing house, it operates from coordinates 35.81681702184715, 51.48203990353519 and maintains an official website at http://www.cgie.org.ir/. The organization is recognized globally through multiple library authority systems and exists in five Wikipedia language editions.

## Key Facts
- **Inception Year**: Founded in 1984.
- **Founder**: Established by Kazem Mousavi-Bojnourdi.
- **Country of Operation**: Iran.
- **Organizational Type**: Classified as both a research institute and a publishing house.
- **Official Website**: http://www.cgie.org.ir/ (Language: Persian/Q9168).
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Latitude 35.81681702184715, Longitude 51.48203990353519.
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n2008219512.
- **GND ID (German National Library)**: 4017909-6.
- **VIAF ID**: 157822206.
- **IDR ID**: 22823526X.
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007440777705171.
- **Freebase ID**: /m/0gyrdvd.
- **Yale Lux ID**: group/a4caa683-0086-41eb-9b49-f665fe763274.
- **RERO ID (Legacy)**: A000032761.
- **Wikipedia Sitelink Count**: 5 editions.
- **Supported Languages**: Arabic, English, Persian, Hindi, Russian.
- **Quora Topic**: Center-for-the-Great-Islamic-Encyclopedia.
- **Wikidata Description**: Iranian research institute.

## FAQs
**What is the primary function and classification of the Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia?**
The entity operates as an Iranian research institute whose primary purpose is conducting research, while also functioning as a publishing house. It is distinct from universities or companies because its core mission is dedicated to systematic investigation and knowledge generation rather than teaching or commercial profit.

**Who founded the organization and when did it begin operations?**
The Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia was founded in 1984 by Kazem Mousavi-Bojnourdi. This inception date marks the beginning of its activities as a dedicated entity for Islamic scholarship and research in Iran.

**How is the organization identified across international library and data systems?**
It is uniquely identified by multiple authority IDs, including the Library of Congress ID n2008219512, the German National Library's GND ID 4017909-6, and the VIAF ID 157822206. Additionally, it holds specific identifiers in the National Library of Israel (987007440777705171), IDR (22823526X), and the legacy RERO system (A000032761).

**In which languages is the Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia documented on Wikipedia?**
The organization has dedicated articles in five different languages: Arabic, English, Persian, Hindi, and Russian. This multilingual presence indicates its recognition and relevance across diverse cultural and linguistic communities.

## Why It Matters
The Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia serves as a critical infrastructure for preserving and advancing Islamic knowledge through dedicated research and publishing. By operating as a standalone research institute rather than a sub-unit of a university, it allows scholars to focus exclusively on deep, long-term investigation without the distraction of teaching obligations. Its dual role as a publishing house ensures that the findings from these systematic investigations are disseminated widely, contributing to the global understanding of Islamic history, culture, and theology. The organization's existence in multiple languages and its integration into major international library systems highlight its role as a bridge between Iranian scholarship and the global academic community.

## Notable For
- **Dual Classification**: Uniquely categorized as both a research institute and a publishing house within knowledge organization systems.
- **Founding Legacy**: Established in 1984 by the prominent scholar Kazem Mousavi-Bojnourdi.
- **Global Digital Footprint**: Maintains active Wikipedia entries in five distinct languages (Ar, En, Fa, Hi, Ru).
- **Comprehensive Authority Mapping**: Holds valid authority records in major global systems including LOC, GND, VIAF, and the National Library of Israel.
- **Geographic Precision**: Precisely geolocated with specific latitude and longitude coordinates for digital mapping.
- **Multilingual Accessibility**: Provides resources and documentation across Arabic, English, Persian, Hindi, and Russian.

## Body
### History and Founding
The Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia traces its origins to 1984, when it was established by Kazem Mousavi-Bojnourdi. This founding date marks the beginning of a dedicated effort to compile and research Islamic knowledge systematically. The organization was created to function independently, focusing purely on the generation of new knowledge and the publication of scholarly works.

### Organizational Structure and Classification
The entity is formally classified under two primary categories: research institute and publishing house. This dual classification distinguishes it from entities that only conduct research or only publish. As a research institute, its primary purpose is to conduct systematic investigation. As a publishing house, it is responsible for disseminating the results of this research. It is recognized in library cataloging systems as a type of research organization and institute.

### Geographic and Operational Details
The Center operates within Iran, with its physical location defined by the coordinates 35.81681702184715 latitude and 51.48203990353519 longitude. These coordinates allow for precise geographic identification in databases such as Geonames, which uses the feature code S.ITTR for such entities. The organization maintains an official web presence at http://www.cgie.org.ir/, which is specifically noted for its Persian language content.

### International Recognition and Authority IDs
The Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia is integrated into the global network of library and knowledge systems through a wide array of unique identifiers. The Library of Congress assigns it the authority ID n2008219512, while the German National Library uses GND ID 4017909-6. It is also cataloged with VIAF ID 157822206, IDR ID 22823526X, and National Library of Israel J9U ID 987007440777705171. Legacy systems recognize it via RERO ID A000032761, and it is indexed in the Yale Lux database as group/a4caa683-0086-41eb-9b49-f665fe763274. For semantic web purposes, it is mapped to schema.org/ResearchOrganization.

### Digital Presence and Languages
The organization's reach is evidenced by its presence on Wikipedia in five languages: Arabic, English, Persian, Hindi, and Russian. This multilingual coverage ensures that information about the Center is accessible to a diverse global audience. It is also the subject of a specific Quora topic titled "Center-for-the-Great-Islamic-Encyclopedia." The entity is linked to Wikidata item Q31855 and has a sitelink count of 5, reflecting its documentation across these language editions.

### Distinctions from Related Entities
The Center is differentiated from scientific societies, which are typically membership-based organizations. Unlike think tanks that focus on policy-oriented research, the Center pursues fundamental inquiry across academic disciplines. It is also distinct from research centers that may be sub-units within larger organizations, as the Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia operates as a standalone entity. Its classification as a "publishing house" further separates it from pure research bodies that do not engage in the publication process.

## References

1. Quora