Beirut's AUB announces Arab-Islamic centre

The American University of Beirut Beirut - Agencies A new centre for Arabic and Islamic science and philosophy will be established at the American University of Beirut, AUB announced Thursday.AUB will open the Farouk K. Jabre Center for Arabic and Islamic Science and Philosophy courtesy of a donation by Jabre, a Lebanese businessman and philanthropist, the statement said. The centre will help AUB bolster its Arab and Islamic studies education. Jabre said in the statement that he hoped the centre would aid a larger goal by reaffirming the Arabic language and society’s role in scientific progress and analytical thought. “I wanted to help AUB create such a centre because I believe we all have a collective responsibility to help youngsters in the region regain pride in their heritage, of which they are ignorant,” said Jabre. The centre will allow AUB to host more conferences and add to its undergraduate course selection related to Arabic and Islamic studies. AUB currently offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Arab and Middle Eastern studies. AUB hopes the centre will attract leading scholars in Arab science, philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, medicine, physics and technology, according to the statement. Jabre wants the centre to dispel the misconception that scientific progress is a Western phenomenon. “Bright Arab minds end up leaving the region, discouraged from making contributions to science and technology in their native lands,” he said