'Gaps' in Islam studies

The Higher Education Funding Council for England is earmarking £1 million to tackle "gaps" in the teaching and research of Islamic studies, which was this week designated a "strategically important" subject by Bill Rammell, the Higher Education Minister. The moves follow a review by Ataullah Siddiqui, which Mr Rammell commissioned to look into concerns about alleged theological narrowness in Islamic studies departments.

Drummond Bone, president of Universities UK, said any changes would be up to the academic community because all disciplines had to "follow the normal quality procedures, which ensure critical intellectual rigour and openness."