Pontifical Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies
Encyclopedia
The Pontifical Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies or Pontificio Istltuto di Studi Arabi e d’Islamistica (P.I.S.A.I.) is a Roman Catholic academic organization in Rome
, Italy
.
The Institute was created in 1926 in Tunis
by the Society of Missionaries of Africa (the White Fathers
). Its aim was the specific formation of missionaries to live in an Arab-Muslim environment.
In 1949, the center of studies was moved to Manouba
, near Tunis, where the Arab language and Islam
ic sciences were taught, while the Tunis center was becoming what up to today is called Institute of Arab Literature.
In 1960, the center was established as a pontifical institute and, in 1964, because of the policy of nationalizations, it was transferred from Tunis to Rome
, where it received the support of Pope Paul VI
as an instrument for interreligious dialogue, "in keeping with the new spirit of the Second Vatican Council
".
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
The Institute was created in 1926 in Tunis
Tunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
by the Society of Missionaries of Africa (the White Fathers
White Fathers
The missionary society known as "White Fathers" , after their dress, is a Roman Catholic Society of Apostolic Life founded in 1868 by the first Archbishop of Algiers, later Cardinal Lavigerie, as the Missionaries of Our Lady of Africa of Algeria, and is also now known as the Society of the...
). Its aim was the specific formation of missionaries to live in an Arab-Muslim environment.
In 1949, the center of studies was moved to Manouba
Manouba
Manouba is a city in northeastern Tunisia. It is located at around . It is the capital city of Manouba Governorate.Manouba is well known for its university. It is also an ideal place for family life because of its security, availability of all kinds of services and its high level of education....
, near Tunis, where the Arab language and Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
ic sciences were taught, while the Tunis center was becoming what up to today is called Institute of Arab Literature.
In 1960, the center was established as a pontifical institute and, in 1964, because of the policy of nationalizations, it was transferred from Tunis to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, where it received the support of Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
as an instrument for interreligious dialogue, "in keeping with the new spirit of the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
".