School Leaders' Perception of Islam and How They Acknowledge Muslim Students' Religious and Cultural Values

• In Event: Inclusive Leadership Across Differences: Nationality, Religion, and Ability

Abstract

It is an ethnographic study which touches on political, racial, and religious discrimination toward Muslim students in U.S. public schools. This research interviews four school leaders in the Central New York and gives an overview of their attitudes towards the Muslim minoritized students. The result reveals that those school leaders who are sympathetic towards the minoritized Muslim students have made undocumented accommodation. However, those who lack understanding of Islam/empathy with Muslim students’ cultural and religious values have legitimized their unwillingness/racist attitudes with institutional bias. Considering these facts and subtle political power play of the state, the article concludes that there is a strong need to identify bias, and support reformation in the education system with regard to school calendars.

Author

• Kimana Kibriani, Syracuse University
  Presenting Author