IINA – 03

Portugal: Islamic cultural center thriving

Lisbon, Rabi Thani 15/Jun 26,2002 (IINA) – The Algarve region of Portugal is said to be the one that remained longest under Islamic rule, according to a publication of the University of Algarve, and many Arab writers and translated were able during their era in Andalus (Iberian Peninsula) to translate numerous books and treatises that were written in the Portuguese language and other European languages as well. The University of Algarve is continuing to expand the studies relating to Arab and Islamic culture, and has set up the Arab and Islamic Cultural Center for that purpose. The center seeks to exchange Arab and Islamic culture with the Portuguese, and vice versa, and to initiate common researches and cooperate in many other fields of endeavor. The center was set up in October 2001, and has since facilitates studies in such fields as archeology, the arts, literature, music, the history of Andalusia, and other disciplines.