King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies

The King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS) is a knowledge platform in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for producing original research in humanities and social sciences. It brings together local, regional, and global researchers and research institutions, in addition to engaging in scientific discussions and dialogue among different cultures. The center was founded in 1983, eight years after King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was martyred to transfer knowledge between the Kingdom and the rest of the world.

The center has five different roles: research, publishing, library, al-Faisal Family Archives, and museum. In 2021, the center added four research programs: 'Socio-economic Studies; African Studies, Asian Studies, and Yemeni Studies.' Previously, the center included the following programs: Cultural Studies, Contemporary Political Thought, Energy Studies, Political Economics, Security Studies, Saudi Studies, Iranian Studies, and Arabic Language.

The KFCRIS presented a variety of projects, including a series of audio blogs informing listeners about the progress accomplished by Saudi Vision 2030 and the Insights from Global Tourism Policies and Practices project to present ideas for the development of tourism in the Kingdom. From 2016 to 2020, the center presented a set of diverse projects aimed at exchanging knowledge with Japanese academic, cultural, and diplomatic entities. Also, the center hosted the Think20 (T20), one of the engagement groups of the G20 and a network of research institutes and think tanks, with the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center.

The center publishes various materials, including research papers in PDF format, books, and periodicals. In 2021, the center released four editions of Dirasat (KFCRIS papers), three editions of Qira’at (KFCRIS humanities papers), fourteen special reports, ten commentaries, twelve African follow-ups, and twenty-two commentaries and situational assessments. Additionally, Al Faisal Cultural House (Dar al-Faisal al-Thaqafiya) prints a series of periodicals in Arabic and issues books in both Arabic and English.

Established in 1985, the library is one of the Kingdom's research libraries. It possesses a range of resources in the field of humanities, most of which have been digitalized. The library contains two collections: a 'general collection' of approximately two hundred thousand book titles, thirty thousand university theses, and more than five thousand periodicals, mostly peer-reviewed, as well as twenty thousand audiovisual materials. The library also contains a 'special collection,' comprising original and replicated manuscripts, documents, photographs, paintings, rare maps, and postage stamps.

The library follows a closed-stack system. Resources can be found through bibliographic databases. Copies of content can be acquired through services for researchers. The library offers a variety of electronic services, including: surveying information, obtaining photocopies of resources and references, investigating whether certain topics have previously been studied or not, and depositing university theses.

The Faisal Family Archives are the official provider of all information relating to King Faisal and his descendants, whether in document or print materials, photographs or audiovisual materials, inside and outside the Kingdom. The Faisal Family Archives were established in 2011 and retain the speeches, interviews, and press conferences made at different stages of their lives throughout their careers in service of religion and the homeland.

Al-Faisal Museum for Arab-Islamic Art showcases artifacts preserved by the KFCRIS. The museum was founded in 1983 and undertakes four main functions: managing collections, curation and research, manuscript conservation and binding, and exhibitions and events. The museum also contributes to the promotion of training and education in the Kingdom by offering educational programs for students, in addition to workshops and lectures on art.