Promoting interfaith collaboration since 1953
Dominican Institute For Oriental Studies
Promoting interfaith collaboration since 1953
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The fundamental mission of the Dominican Institute of Oriental Studies (Idéo) is to explore the theological and philosophical heritage of Islam and the richness of Islamic cultures. This task is carried out within Egyptian society thanks to the immersion of its researchers, Dominicans and lay people, who reside in Cairo, with the aim of fostering a theology which encourages fraternal communion with Muslims by highlighting the truths inscribed in their religious traditions.

A research institute

Idéo serves as a dedicated center for research into Islamic tradition and heritage. Our primary mission is to unite researchers in pursuit of a shared scholarly focus: the original texts from the initial ten centuries of Islam.

A training institute

As an integral part of Domuni University, Idéo's members play a crucial role in offering education and training in the field of Islamology.

A scientific library

The BIDEO (Library of the Dominican Institute of Oriental Studies) is the largest private library in the world dedicated to Islamic heritage. It provides researchers with an exceptional catalogue containing almost 300,000 bibliographic records, making it an invaluable resource for Islamic studies.

A scientific journal

MIDÉO (Mélanges de l'Institut dominicain d'études orientales du Caire) is a refereed journal dedicated to exploring the history of ideas and doctrines in the Arab world. Particular attention is paid to the examination of historical, cultural and doctrinal issues, with a specific focus on Egypt.

From the institute

Latest news & publications

Gloria décerclé noir transparent

There were no summer holidays for IDEO. The summer was hot and warm. It began for us in the first week of July, with the conference organized by the NCCMR on interreligious dialogue. We had expected it to take place in Amman. It was held in Cairo instead, as Trump’s war in the Middle East […]

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It is a fact that several of the foremost specialists in Islamic mysticism have been Catholic priests and religious, from Louis Massignon, Georges Anawati, and Louis Gardet in the last...

“Women and Religions”. This marks Season III for this certification from the “Anawati Chair”. This year, we changed how we select candidates. Because of artificial intelligence, we no longer know...

The visit of ISTR students from Paris provided a valuable opportunity to meet with al-Azhar’s Department of Islamic Studies, headed by Dr. Ali Abdelhakim. It also allowed for a discussion...

Anawati Chair Project

The Anawati Chair, established in 2023 within Ideo, is dedicated to the promotion of interreligious dialogue through the deconstruction of extremist and exclusivist discourses. Through its research and educational programs, the chair advocates for values of openness, respect, and civic equality.

Upcoming and Ongoing Events

PISAI’s centenary congress, “For a Future of Excellence,” takes place December 11–12, 2026, at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome. Marking 100 years since 1926, it explores Christian-Muslim dialogue through sessions, a keynote, and an alumni round table, closing with a papal audience.
This IDEO–OIB conference examines the composition of the Qur’an — its structure, style, and organization — asking not only how the Qur’an is composed, but what composition accomplishes. Cairo, 19–20 March 2027. Selected papers published in MIDEO 45 (2029).

Chaire past Events

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