Islamic Educational Leadership: Developing American Muslim Identity Through School, Family, Community, and Society

• In Event: 31.023 - Social Justice Leadership in the Trump Era

Abstract

This case study explored an American Islamic school leaders’ efforts to develop in their students an American Muslim identity. Social complexities influence how Muslims living in the United States negotiate their identities and although American Muslim identity is complex and includes the interrelationships among individuals’ multiple group identities as well as the external perceptions and labels attributed to them. This research yielded four domains which the school principals influenced in the development of American Muslim identity, namely: school, community, society, and family. It also revealed how the leaders balanced these domains through policy, people, and practices. This study is unique in that it presents an evidence based counter-narrative and sheds lights on the day-to-day practices of two Islamic school leaders.

Authors

• Melanie Carol Brooks, Monash University

• Miriam Deborah Ezzani, Texas Christian University