Christ Church graduate awarded Joseph Schacht Memorial Prize

The Joseph Schacht Memorial Prize in Arabic and Islamic Studies recognises those studying Arabic who have distinguished themselves in the fields of Islamic religion, law or history. The prize is awarded on the recommendation of the moderators and examiners where there is a candidate of sufficient merit.

Reflecting on the award, Nayaaz said:

A particular highlight of Nayaaz’s studies was the Islam and the Study of Religion special subject, an option which gave him the opportunity to engage with a range of pre-modern Islamic texts and culminated in an extended essay exploring concepts of religion in pre-modern Islamic thought. The work allowed him to put the linguistic skills he had developed throughout his degree into practice.

His Arabic course allowed him to explore subjects ranging from Qurʾanic commentaries to contemporary Arab politics. Nayaaz thanked his tutors in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, particularly Professor Nicolai Sinai and Professor Raihan Ismail, for their guidance throughout his studies.

He also reflected on the support he received from Christ Church, including a grant which enabled him to attend an academic summer programme at Cambridge:

Nayaaz is now embarking on a Master’s degree in War Studies at King’s College London, building on his undergraduate dissertation on religious ideologies during the Syrian Civil War.

We warmly congratulate Nayaaz on this achievement and wish him every success for the next stage of his studies.

Find out more about Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.