IT was set up to help foster a greater understanding between Muslim and Western worlds. But 18 months after its official opening, five members of staff have resigned or been sacked from Scotland's first institute for Islamic studies. Another left when his contract was not renewed.

The staffing problems come amid allegations of mismanagement at the Al-Maktoum Institute, based in Tayside.

The institute which is funded by Dubai, the Gulf Arab state, opened in collaboration with Abertay University in Dundee just over a year and a half ago. The university validates two degree courses at the institute.

A series of complaints by staff and students have been uncovered by an investigation by The Herald. Central to the grievances is Abd al-Fattah El-Awaisi, the institute's principal, who is accused of unreasonable behaviour.

Qasim Al-Samarrai, a visiting theology professor from Leiden University, in Holland, who spent six weeks there, wrote to Professor El-Awaisi and said: ''I shall not walk in a veil of tears once the institute sinks into disrepute and disarray through your inhumane behaviour either with the students or the staff whom you take for no less than slaves in your kingdom.''

Abertay University officials have received at least two student-led complaints.

The university confirmed that it had investigated those issues ''falling within its jurisdiction'' in regard to the students' complaints.

It added: ''The investigation concluded that the academic standards and regulations governing the validated courses have not been breached. However, we have also asked the principal of the institute to comment on other issues that were drawn to our attention, and we await his reply.''

Students have claimed that they were treated ''like children'', and intimidated by Professor El-Awaisi. There are also claims of favouritism involving the professor's wife and son.

Professor El-Awaisi declined to answer the allegations. Instead, in a statement, a public relations spokesman said: ''We completely reject the serious allegations made by anonymous sources about the running of the institute in general and of Professor El-Awaisi in particular.''

The spokesman said that, as with other academic organisations, there was a turnover of academic and administrative staff, adding: ''The reasons for their departure are - and will remain - confidential.''

He said the visiting professor's opinion was not shared by ''the other three visiting scholars'', and two external examiners had recently given the institute ''a glowing report for academic excellence''.

The institute's first chancellor was Lord Watson, who later stepped down after becoming Scottish tourism, culture, and leisure minister. His successor was Lord Elder of Kirkcaldy.

The institute was opened by a member of the wealthy Al Maktoum royal family, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al-

Maktoum, Dubai's deputy ruler and minister of industry and finance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who was awarded an honorary degree of doctor of letters when he visited Dundee. The sheikh's private secretary, Mirza Al-Sayegh, is chairman of the institute's board.

Among the 17 senior people who accompanied the sheikh, the patron of the institute, at the official opening a year ago were high-ranking UAE officials.

Leading figures from industry, academia, health and economic development in Dubai also attended.

The institute was created by a (pounds) 250,000 endowment by the Al-Maktoum Charitable Foundation. The money allowed a former school and college building to be converted into premises for research and postgraduate teaching in Islamic culture and history.

Also housed there is the Islamic Research Academy (ISRA), set up in 1994. A funding body and sponsor of postgraduate students at the institute, it, too, is headed by Professor El-Awaisi as secretary general.

The professor's wife, believed to be sitting an institute course under the name Aisha Al-Ahlas, and Khalid El-Awaisi, his son, both serve on ISRA's management committee.

When asked to confirm the study status of the professor's wife, the institute spokesman failed to confirm that she was on a course, despite a lengthy reply to The Herald's inquiries.

Asked about Mr El-Awaisi's course, the spokesman said he was in receipt of a scholarship from the institute after a ''rigorous interview and selection process that did not involve his father''.

Dr Al-Samarrai said that during his time at the institute staff and students regularly complained about the principal's management of it and his behaviour towards them.

Dr Al-Samarrai, who indicated that he accepted some responsibility because he voted for the principal at his selection panel of eminent academics, said he had complained to Abertay about his behaviour and ''dictatorship''.

His letter to Professor El-Awaisi, copied to Abertay's principal and vice-principal, urged the university to dissociate itself from the institute ''for the sake of her (the

university's) good name and reputation''.

He wrote: ''You seem to believe the institute is one of the Arabic kingdoms and therefore should be governed with an iron hand and anyone, whether he be a student or professor, who raises any objection to your tyrannical attitude and hectic behaviour ought to be eliminated from your kingdom.''

One lecturer is said to have resigned ''under duress'' after difficulties he had with the principal.

The institute spokesman said: ''We are concerned that this important work that we are doing at all levels of the institute is being undermined by anonymous people making unfounded accusations which are seeking to damage our good reputation.''