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Islamic schools in the United States and England: Implications for integration and social cohesion

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hussain, S; Read, JG
Published in: Social Compass
December 1, 2015

Debates over faith-based schools have resurfaced in recent years, due largely to an increase in Islamic schools in the West and concerns regarding their role vis-a-vis social cohesion. Such debates typically occur in the public and political realms, with less academic attention to the issue. This study addresses this gap by focusing on Islamic schools in the US and England. The article draws on extensive qualitative data collected over 20 months at three Islamic schools to understand the experiences of Muslim students and their families. Contrary to popular perceptions, the findings suggest that Islamic schools can facilitate the participation of Muslims in mainstream institutions by equipping them with the cultural capital needed to navigate in non-Muslim arenas. Paradoxically, the findings also indicate that attending Islamic schools does not necessarily translate into greater levels of religiosity among Muslim youth; in some cases it even turned them away from the religion.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Social Compass

DOI

EISSN

1461-7404

ISSN

0037-7686

Publication Date

December 1, 2015

Volume

62

Issue

4

Start / End Page

556 / 569

Related Subject Headings

  • Religions & Theology
  • 5004 Religious studies
  • 4410 Sociology
  • 2204 Religion and Religious Studies
  • 1608 Sociology
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Hussain, S., & Read, J. G. (2015). Islamic schools in the United States and England: Implications for integration and social cohesion. Social Compass, 62(4), 556–569. https://doi.org/10.1177/0037768615602149
Hussain, S., and J. G. Read. “Islamic schools in the United States and England: Implications for integration and social cohesion.” Social Compass 62, no. 4 (December 1, 2015): 556–69. https://doi.org/10.1177/0037768615602149.
Hussain, S., and J. G. Read. “Islamic schools in the United States and England: Implications for integration and social cohesion.” Social Compass, vol. 62, no. 4, Dec. 2015, pp. 556–69. Scopus, doi:10.1177/0037768615602149.
Journal cover image

Published In

Social Compass

DOI

EISSN

1461-7404

ISSN

0037-7686

Publication Date

December 1, 2015

Volume

62

Issue

4

Start / End Page

556 / 569

Related Subject Headings

  • Religions & Theology
  • 5004 Religious studies
  • 4410 Sociology
  • 2204 Religion and Religious Studies
  • 1608 Sociology