# Department of Islamic & Religious Studies

> organisation involved in scholarly research

**Wikidata**: [Q74530643](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q74530643)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/department-of-islamic-religious-studies

## Summary
The Department of Islamic & Religious Studies is an organization located in Pakistan that is dedicated to scholarly research. Classified as a research institute, its primary function is to conduct systematic investigation to generate new knowledge. It is distinct from standard university departments that may balance teaching obligations, as its specific classification denotes a sole purpose of research.

## Key Facts
*   **Location:** The entity is based in Pakistan.
*   **Classification:** It is categorized as an instance of a "research institute," a type of organization defined by having research as its primary purpose.
*   **Core Activity:** The department is described as an organisation involved in scholarly research.
*   **Source Verification:** Its classification and function are supported by structured data referencing `http://hazaraislamicus.hu.edu.pk/`.
*   **Ontological Type:** In structured knowledge systems, it falls under the class of "research institute" (Wikidata ID Q31855), which is mapped to `schema.org/ResearchOrganization`.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of the Department of Islamic & Religious Studies?
A: The department functions as a research institute, meaning its core mandate is to conduct scholarly research rather than solely providing undergraduate education or commercial services.

### Q: How does this entity differ from a standard university department?
A: While many university departments balance teaching and research, this entity is specifically classified as a "research institute," a designation reserved for organizations where the primary and often sole purpose is to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation.

### Q: Where is the Department of Islamic & Religious Studies located?
A: The organization is located in Pakistan.

## Why It Matters
The Department of Islamic & Religious Studies represents a dedicated infrastructure for advancing knowledge within its specific field. By operating as a research institute rather than a purely instructional body, it serves as a specialized engine for discovery, allowing for focused, long-term academic inquiry. Organizations of this type are critical for conducting in-depth analysis and generating primary source research that might not be feasible in environments divided by teaching obligations. In the context of religious and Islamic studies, such institutes play a vital role in preserving cultural heritage, interpreting theological contexts, and contributing to the global body of academic literature regarding religion.

## Notable For
*   **Dedicated Research Focus:** Distinguished by its classification as a research institute, indicating a sole purpose of investigation rather than a hybrid of teaching and research.
*   **Specific Geographic Context:** Serves as a hub for scholarly research within Pakistan.
*   **Structured Academic Identity:** Formally recognized in knowledge systems as a `ResearchOrganization`, aligning it with global standards for scientific and academic bodies.

## Body

### Organizational Classification
The Department of Islamic & Religious Studies is formally classified as a **research institute**. In the landscape of knowledge-producing institutions, this distinguishes the entity from universities, which typically balance teaching and research missions, and companies, which often pursue research for commercial ends. As a research institute, the department exists specifically to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation.

This classification is supported by library and knowledge organization systems. The concept of a research institute is formally categorized under the Library of Congress (authority ID sh85143043) and the German National Library (GND ID 4017909-6). In geographic and library science databases, such entities are often identified by specific codes, such as the Geonames feature code **S.ITTR** or Dewey Decimal Classification **001.406**.

### Operational Focus and Scope
The entity's primary mandate is **scholarly research**. Unlike "think tanks," which primarily conduct policy-oriented research to influence government decisions, research institutes like this department focus on fundamental inquiry. They are operational entities conducting hands-on investigation rather than serving merely as membership-based societies (like learned societies or scientific societies).

The organization is distinct from "research centers," which are often sub-units within larger corporate or university structures. As a standalone research institute, the Department of Islamic & Religious Studies is positioned to pursue specialized academic objectives.

### Geographic and Data Context
Structured data properties confirm the department is located in **Pakistan**. Its definition as an "organisation involved in scholarly research" and its classification as a research institute are derived from verified sources, including the academic portal `hazaraislamicus.hu.edu.pk`. This specific focus places the entity within a global network of research organizations recognized across various knowledge bases, including Wikidata (Item Q31855) and schema.org.

The concept of the research institute to which this department belongs has broad international recognition, being a topic covered in 41 different Wikipedia language editions, reflecting the universal applicability of its organizational form.

## References

1. [Directory of Open Access Journals](http://hazaraislamicus.hu.edu.pk/)