The Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies

What The Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies does

The Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies (RIIFS) is a non-profit academic research institute established in 1994 in Amman, Jordan, operating under the patronage of HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal. It conducts scholarly research and convenes dialogue on Christian-Muslim relations, intercultural understanding, and the cultural heritage of the Levant, serving academic researchers, religious leaders, government and diplomatic institutions, and university students. Its flagship publication is BRIIFS (Bulletin of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies), a refereed annual journal publishing in English, French, and Spanish with 25 years of archived content, supported by a specialized library housing over 7,000 volumes and 4,300+ titles accessible through a Koha-powered online catalog. Programmatic offerings include the Diploma in Christian-Muslim Relations (delivered online with Domuni Universitas via NCMCR membership), the Bridging Research to Publication writing workshops for early-career researchers in Jordan, Iraq, and Syria, the Living Together in Harmony community engagement project with Caritas Jordan, the Teachers of Tomorrow (Tottoolkit) educator platform, and the Qabasat Ramadan podcast.

The institute's business model is grant- and donation-funded rather than commercially priced; revenue is not publicly disclosed, and activities are financed through bilateral government grants (British Academy, U.S. Department of State, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs), institutional partnerships (Council for British Research in the Levant, Domuni Universitas, Search for Common Ground Jordan, Caritas Jordan, Crescendo Music & Art Academy, University of Balamand), and member contributions. Distribution occurs through multilingual academic publications, a physical and online library, symposia and conferences, online educational platforms, and diplomatic channels. Operationally, RIIFS maintains a small team (11-50 employees) and has no disclosed subsidiaries, M&A activity, or commercial product lines, with strategic positioning centered on royal patronage, accumulated scholarly content, and global interfaith academic networks rather than scalable technology or commercial revenue.

Name

The Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies

Legal name

The Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies

Website

https://riifs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies is a Jordan-based non-profit academic institute founded in 1994 that conducts research, publishes the multilingual BRIIFS journal, and facilitates dialogue on Christian-Muslim relations and Levantine cultural heritage for scholars, religious leaders, diplomats, and students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Interfaith Academic Research

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Libraries and Archives (51921), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Interfaith & Comparative Religion Publishing (MPAJAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interdisciplinary & Multidisciplinary Scholarly Publishing (EDAGAFAI), Religious Reference & Study Tools Publishing (Commentaries, Concordances, Lexicons) (MPAJAHAL), Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides) (MPAJAHAC)

Keywords

• Interfaith academic research
• Religious studies publishing
• Christian-Muslim relations
• Cultural heritage dialogue
• Scholarly journal publications

Headquarters

HQ city

Amman

HQ country

Jordan

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies (RIIFS) is a non-profit academic research institute that conducts scholarly research on Christian-Muslim relations, interfaith dialogue, and cultural heritage in the Middle East. It publishes the annual BRIIFS peer-reviewed scientific journal in English, Spanish, and French, operates a specialized library of over 7,000 volumes, and delivers educational and community programs including a Diploma in Christian-Muslim Relations, writing workshops, and cultural dialogue projects.

Product overview

The Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies operates as a research and academic institute rather than a technology company. Its product portfolio consists of scholarly publications, educational programs, and community engagement initiatives. The core offering is BRIIFS, an annual academic journal publishing interdisciplinary research on cultural and civilizational interaction. Supporting offerings include a specialized library with over 7,000 volumes and an online catalog system. The institute also delivers educational programs including a Diploma in Christian-Muslim Relations, the Bridging Research to Publication professional development program, and the Living Together in Harmony community project. Additional platforms include the Harmony Platform for music education and the Tottoolkit for educators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BRIIFS: Bulletin of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies - a refereed annual academic journal publishing essays, articles, notices and book reviews in English, French, and Spanish, covering cultural and civilizational interaction topics.
• Harmony

Products and services

• BRIIFS (Bulletin of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies) A refereed annual academic journal publishing essays, articles, notices, and book reviews in English, French, and Spanish. The journal covers interdisciplinary academic inquiry into humanities and social sciences related to cultural and civilizational interaction, including anthropology, archaeology, fine arts, history, literature, politics, and sociology. Targeted at academic researchers, scholars, and university libraries.
• The RIIFS Library and Online Catalog A specialized knowledge center housing over 7,000 volumes and more than 4,300 titles in Arabic and other languages, focused on religious studies, Islamic and Christian thought, interfaith dialogue, and related humanities and social sciences. Books are available for in-library use, with a Koha-powered electronic catalog system for efficient searching and access. Targeted at academic researchers, scholars, and students.
• Diploma in Christian-Muslim Relations A 12-month online diploma program (60 ECTS credits) offered in partnership with Domuni Universitas and NCCMR, providing foundational knowledge of Christian-Muslim relations. Taught in English through eight courses divided into two certificates. Targeted at students and professionals seeking credentials in interfaith studies.
• Bridging Research to Publication Program A two-year writing workshops program (2025-2027) funded by the British Academy to enhance academic publishing skills of early career researchers in Jordan, Iraq, and Syria. Includes in-person workshops at CBRL Amman Institute and online sessions. Targeted at early career researchers in the humanities and social sciences.
• Living Together in Harmony Project A community engagement project that brings Jordanians and Iraqi refugees together through artistic creativity and cultural dialogue activities to promote peace, pluralism, and social cohesion. Includes musical educational programs (singing lessons, basic music theory, breathing exercises, rhythm training, instrument instruction) for youth participants. Targeted at local communities in Jordan and Iraqi refugees.
• Harmony Platform An online platform supporting the Living Together in Harmony project, providing free content for an integrated academic music curriculum and interactive learning. Targeted at educators, students, and community participants in the Living Together in Harmony project.
• Teachers of Tomorrow (Tottoolkit)
• Qabasat Ramadan Podcast

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• University of BalamandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026Cooperation with University of Balamand's Centre for Christian-Muslim Studies. Dr. Ismael Ghananim participated in a scientific symposium 'Christians, Muslims, and Contemporary Issues' held January 22-24, 2026, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate.
• Network of Centers for Christian-Muslim Relations (NCMCR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2025RIIFS is a member of NCMCR, an international platform uniting academic and research institutions dedicated to fostering dialogue between Christian and Muslim communities. Through membership, RIIFS participates in joint projects, resource sharing, and organizing conferences and training programs. The network also launched a Diploma in Christian-Muslim Relations in partnership with Domuni Universitas.
• Domuni UniversitascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2025Partner in delivering the Diploma in Christian-Muslim Relations program. The 12-month online diploma (60 ECTS credits) provides foundational knowledge of Christian-Muslim relations, taught in English, with courses divided into two certificates.
• Council for British Research in the Levant (CBRL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2025Partnership for Bridging Research to Publication writing workshops program. CBRL and RIIFS jointly deliver workshops for early career researchers in Jordan, Iraq, and Syria. The program, funded by The British Academy's International Writing Workshops 2024 Programme, includes in-person workshops at CBRL Amman Institute and online sessions from 2025-2027.
• Arab World Institute (Jack Lang)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Prince El Hassan met with Arab World Institute President Jack Lang during a working visit to France. Discussed promoting peace, diversity, and mutual understanding in the Levant. Prince toured the 'Rescued Treasures from Gaza: 5,000 Years of History' exhibition at the institute.
• Caritas JordanminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partner in the 'Living Together in Harmony' project (2023-24), which engaged Jordanians and Iraqi refugees in activities promoting peace and cultural dialogue through artistic creativity.
• Crescendo Music & Art AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partner in the 'Living Together in Harmony' project, providing musical educational programs including singing lessons, basic music theory, breathing exercises, rhythm training, and instrument instruction for youth participants.
• Search for Common Ground JordanminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2018Partnership for the 'Tourathna - Our Shared Heritage' project (2018-2020), funded by the U.S. Department of State. The project targeted six historical and religious sites in five Jordanian governorates, aiming to empower local communities and foster inter-religious dialogue through heritage preservation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• KAICIID Dialogue Centre: International intergovernmental organization based in Vienna dedicated to promoting dialogue among followers of different religions, especially Christian-Muslim relations. Directly comparable to RIIFS in mission (Christian-Muslim dialogue), academic programming, and royal/governmental sponsorship, though operating at a significantly larger scale.
• Georgetown University Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding: Academic center at Georgetown University focused on Muslim-Christian relations research and education. Directly comparable to RIIFS through its scholarly publications, conferences, and educational programming on Christian-Muslim relations, though embedded within a major US research university.
• Domuni Universitas: Online Catholic university offering theology and philosophy programs with a strong interfaith and Christian-Muslim relations component. Directly comparable to RIIFS through its partnership on the Diploma in Christian-Muslim Relations and online credentialed interfaith education.
• Elijah Interfaith Institute: Jewish-founded interfaith organization promoting friendship, study, and dialogue among the Abrahamic and Eastern faith traditions. Comparable to RIIFS in its Christian-Muslim-Jewish dialogue mission, educational programs, and convening activities.
• A Common Word Initiative: Global initiative launched by Muslim scholars calling for Muslim-Christian dialogue based on shared principles of love of God and neighbor. Comparable to RIIFS in its Christian-Muslim dialogue mandate and convening of religious leaders, though structured as an open letter/movement rather than an institute.
• Woolf Institute: Cambridge-based institute promoting interdisciplinary research and education on relations between religions and beliefs. Directly comparable to RIIFS through its academic research, library resources, and educational programs on interfaith relations.
• Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs: Georgetown University center that fosters advanced scholarly research on global religious and ethical issues, including interfaith dialogue. Comparable to RIIFS through its academic research output, publications, and convening role on religion and geopolitics.

Regional players

• International Council of Christians and Jews (ICCJ): International umbrella organization with member institutions across Europe, the Americas, and elsewhere promoting Jewish-Christian dialogue. Comparable to RIIFS through interfaith academic and dialogue programming, though focused on Jewish-Christian relations and primarily Western in footprint.
• Al-Mesbar Studies and Research Center: Dubai-based independent research center studying contemporary political, social, and religious developments in the Arab and Islamic world. Comparable to RIIFS in MENA academic publishing and religious-studies research focus, though oriented more toward Islamic studies.

Broad incumbents

• World Council of Churches (WCC) - Programme on Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation: Global fellowship of churches with an established programme on interreligious dialogue and cooperation. Comparable to RIIFS through interfaith engagement and Christian-Muslim relations work, but operates as a much broader ecumenical institution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/riifsjordan
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCA91gjml5WXZXC5WxbxvBoA
• Facebookfacebook.com/RIIFS.Amman
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/royal-institute-for-inter-faith-studies
• Instagraminstagram.com/riifs_jordan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies