Supporting Muslim Students in Secular Public Schools

This article discusses the findings of a study examining the challenges and opportunities of supporting Muslim students in secular public schools. Education is explored as a multifaceted interplay between home and family life, community resources, school programs and policies, and classroom lessons to investigate the curricular experiences of Muslim students in North America. In particular, this study focuses on data gathered through interviews, informal conversations, and participant observations to draw a narrative case study of a female, Bangladeshi, Muslim student attending a comprehensive elementary and middle school. The study explores tensions and growth among this Muslim student, her parent, and members of her school community as she balances affiliation to family beliefs and practices, her ethnic community, her Muslim community…