Muslim education and education of Muslims, a Scottish perspective

This study focuses on the Muslim community in Glasgow, the largest in Scotland. The establishment of the first successful independent Muslim school in Scotland is used as a backdrop to ascertain the Muslim perspective on educational issues. Issues related to Muslim or Islamic education including race, ethnicity, Islamophobia and identity of Muslim children are explored. Mosque-schools and related institutions that supplement the education of Muslim children are discussed and contextualised to appreciate fully the experiences of Muslim children in Scotland. Historical developments pertaining to the establishment of the Muslim school have been explored. Parents who send their children to the Muslim independent school have been interviewed to establish the reasons for their choice as have the parents who have decided not to support the Muslim school by sending their children to it. A survey of a larger sample of the Muslim community was carried out to gauge their opinions about educational issues and determine their priorities. The results should be of interest to those who work in the fields of multicultural education, ethnic minority issues and social inclusion.This study focuses on the Muslim community in Glasgow, the largest in Scotland. The establishment of the first successful independent Muslim school in Scotland is used as a backdrop to ascertain the Muslim perspective on educational issues. Issues related to Muslim or Islamic education including race, ethnicity, Islamophobia and identity of Muslim children are explored. Mosque-schools and related institutions that supplement the education of Muslim children are discussed and contextualised to appreciate fully the experiences of Muslim children in Scotland. Historical developments pertaining to the establishment of the Muslim school have been explored. Parents who send their children to the Muslim independent school have been interviewed to establish the reasons for their choice as have the parents who have decided not to support the Muslim school by sending their children to it. A survey of a larger sample of the Muslim community was carried out to gauge their opinions about educational issues and determine their priorities. The results should be of interest to those who work in the fields of multicultural education, ethnic minority issues and social inclusion