The Role of Islamic Schools Between Muslim Immigrant Families’/Students’ Perceptions and Institutional Realities

Article Sidebar

PDF
Published: Jun 24, 2022
Keywords:
Islamic schools, Muslims, perceptions,, policies,, religion, Islmamic schools in America, Islamic schools in the United Schools

Main Article Content

Mohamed Nur-Awaleh
Illinois State University
Reda Mohammed
Case Western Reserve University

Abstract

The study expands our understanding of the educational role of Islamic schools in the United States. It investigated the types of challenges facing Islamic schools in America and the resulting policies that schools adopt in response to these challenges. To that end, the study interviewed the principals of two Islamic schools located in Illinois to discuss their schools’ practices, policies, and challenges. Additionally, we interviewed five Muslim immigrant families and their children who attend these schools to further explore their challenges as well as motivations, benefits derived, and the values they place on these schools. We start by describing the immigration trajectory of Muslims in the United States and the historical establishment of Islamic schools and their status in the United States. We conclude by discussing the role of these schools in the educational development of Muslim students.

Article Details

How to Cite
Nur-Awaleh, M., & Mohammed, R. (2022). The Role of Islamic Schools: Between Muslim Immigrant Families’/Students’ Perceptions and Institutional Realities. Journal of Education in Muslim Societies, 3(2), 79–99. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.iu.edu/iupjournals/index.php/jems/article/view/4945
Issue
Vol. 3 No. 2 (2022): Journal of Education in Muslim Societies
Section
Articles
Author Biography

Reda Mohammed, Case Western Reserve University

I, Reda Mohammed am a full-time lecturer at Case Western Reserve University. I recently graduated and started my new job at CWRU. I have a PhD in English Studies with a specialization in Linguistics and TESOL from Illinois State University. I also have a master's degree in English with a specialization in Literature (African American, Egyptian, and Native American) from the University of Wyoming. My research is interdisciplinary in nature bringing together Linguistics, Composition Studies, and Literary & Cultural Studies. My current research interests include studying Arabic as a heritage language in immigrant contexts, investigating the interrelatedness of language and identity performance/development across genres and domains, and examining diverse and Muslim Arabic heritage learners’ agency in linguistic innovation and translingual writing practices. I have published on linguistic diversity, pedagogy, Arabic as a heritage language and language policy, Islamic Schools in the US context, English grammar, and ESL. My pedagogy focuses on creating equitable access to resources and materials and on accommodating the diversity of my students.