# Department of Islamic History and Civilization, Academy of Islamic Studies

> organisation involved in scholarly research

**Wikidata**: [Q74558102](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q74558102)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/department-of-islamic-history-and-civilization-academy-of-islamic-studies

## Summary
The Department of Islamic History and Civilization, Academy of Islamic Studies is an organization located in Malaysia involved in scholarly research. It operates as a specialized research institute dedicated to generating new knowledge, distinct from teaching-focused universities or policy-oriented think tanks.

## Key Facts
*   **Location:** The entity is based in Malaysia.
*   **Classification:** It is formally classified as a **research institute** (an organization whose primary purpose is research).
*   **Function:** The department is involved in scholarly research.
*   **Source Verification:** Its classification as a research institute is supported by citations in the *Journal of Al-Tamaddun*.
*   **Ontology:** In structured data systems, its class (research institute) is mapped to `schema.org/ResearchOrganization` and identified by the Geonames feature code `S.ITTR`.
*   **Library Classification:** The category of organization it belongs to is classified under the Library of Congress authority ID `sh85113043` and Dewey Decimal Classification `001.406`.

## FAQs
### Q: What distinguishes this department from a university department?
A: While university departments typically balance teaching and research, this entity is classified specifically as a research institute, suggesting its primary purpose is conducting systematic investigation to generate new knowledge rather than granting degrees or providing undergraduate education.

### Q: How does this organization differ from a think tank?
A: As a research institute, its focus is on fundamental scholarly inquiry in Islamic History and Civilization, whereas think tanks primarily conduct research to influence government policy and public decision-making.

### Q: Where is the Department of Islamic History and Civilization located?
A: The organization is located in Malaysia.

## Why It Matters
This entity serves as a dedicated engine for discovery in the field of Islamic History and Civilization. By operating as a research institute rather than a hybrid educational body, it concentrates resources and talent purely on investigation, allowing for deep, long-term scholarly inquiry. It provides a space where researchers can pursue complex historical and civilizational analysis free from the distractions of corporate timelines or the teaching obligations typical of standard universities. In the landscape of knowledge-producing institutions, it represents critical infrastructure for advancing human understanding of Islamic heritage.

## Notable For
*   **Dedicated Research Focus:** Exists specifically to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation, differentiating it from bodies with mixed mandates.
*   **Disciplinary Scope:** Focuses on scholarly research within Islamic History and Civilization, distinct from the policy-focused scope of think tanks.
*   **Global Recognition of Class:** As a research institute, it belongs to an organizational form recognized globally across 41 Wikipedia language editions and standardized in library cataloging systems.
*   **Academic Integration:** Its activities are referenced in academic contexts such as the *Journal of Al-Tamaddun*.

## Body

### Identity and Purpose
The Department of Islamic History and Civilization, Academy of Islamic Studies is an organization explicitly involved in scholarly research. It is located in Malaysia and functions as a specialized unit for generating new knowledge. Its core definition aligns with the concept of a "research institute"—an entity defined by its primary purpose of conducting research rather than teaching or commercial activity.

### Organizational Classification
The entity is an **instance of a research institute**. This classification carries specific structural and functional implications:
*   **Differentiation:** It is distinct from scientific societies or learned societies, which are typically membership-based organizations. It is also differentiated from research centers, which are often sub-units of larger organizations.
*   **Identification:** In library and knowledge organization systems, the "research institute" category is formally recognized. It holds the Library of Congress authority ID `sh85113043` and German National Library GND ID `4017909-6`.
*   **Structured Data:** For digital knowledge graphs, this entity falls under the `schema.org/ResearchOrganization` type and uses the Geonames feature code `S.ITTR`.

### Scholarly Context
The department operates within the academic landscape of Malaysia. Its classification as a research institute is verified by external academic sources, specifically the *Journal of Al-Tamaddun* (published by the University of Malaya). This suggests a focus on historical and civilizational studies consistent with the journal's scope. By existing as a dedicated research institute, it fills a niche distinct from think tanks (which focus on policy) and universities (which focus on degree conferral), ensuring that resources are dedicated solely to the systematic investigation of Islamic history.

## References

1. [Directory of Open Access Journals](https://ejournal.um.edu.my/index.php/JAT/about/submissions)