Empowering Futures: The Role of Islamic Schools in Encouraging Higher Education Among Muslim Students

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 1:45 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Comparative Perspectives on the Contexts and Possibilities of Religious Education (Table 6)

Abstract

Despite the growing population of Muslims, they still face significant challenges, including discrimination and alienation. Islamic schools offer support and a unique environment that fosters a strong sense of identity and belonging for Muslim students in the U.S. Employing the phenomenological approach, this paper discusses the experiences of five Muslim students who attended Islamic schools in the U.S. and the implications these experiences have on forming an identity that aids in making decisions about higher education. The findings highlight the crucial role Islamic schools play in guiding Muslim students with identity issues and aspirations for higher education, through counseling support and a conducive educational environment.

Authors

• Murat Yilmaz, Hitit University

• Munube Yilmaz, Texas State University