Centering Holism in Islamic Educational Practices in "Western" Contexts as Integrated Educational Responsibilities

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Muslim-minority communities in Western contexts, developing educational projects to engage the next generation in valued principles and practices, draw on unique educational paradigms, philosophies, and pedagogies, adapting them to new situations posing novel challenges both within and outside the community. Educating young people in light of these challenges constitutes educational responsibilities, which are often actualized through a perspective of tawhid (oneness)—as holistic integration of knowledge and action; secular and spiritual; personal and political. As three Muslim scholar–educator–citizens, our work centers on educational and research practices that contribute to whole-person development—cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual—and to developing innovative practices in sites of Islamic education. This symposium explores diverse aspects of our current research projects.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Holistic Education

Chair

• Jasmin Zine, Wilfrid Laurier University

Papers

• Educating for Agency in Being Muslim: Holistic Islamic Education Through Dialogic Halaqah (Circles of Learning) - Farah Ahmed, University of Cambridge

• Holistic Islamic Educational Initiatives in the United States, United Kingdom, and Netherlands: A Triple-Site Autoethnography - Fatima D'Oyen Waley, Al-Maqasid