Education and Muslim identity during a time of tension : inside an American Islamic school / Melanie C. Brooks.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

The (mis)understanding of Islamic education -- Finding and sustaining a community: 'I'm not here, I'm not there, and I want to belong.' -- Establishing a unique education: 'we need to teach our kids about Islam' -- Leading American Islamic academy: 'God wants us to practice responsibility, kindness, compassion and respect.' -- Managing diversity: 'differences are important and so we don't ignore them.' -- Having confidence in American Islamic academy: 'the students are learning not only about the Quran but also about being Muslim in America today.' -- Developing an American Muslim identity: 'here, kids don't grow up in a bubble.' -- Navigating gender: 'we shouldn't have that type of diversity.' -- Challenging hate: 'we are not planning to bomb anything. we are normal human beings.' -- Responding to the 2016 presidential election: 'what are we going to do now?' -- Finding balance during a time of tension: lessons learned.

"Education and Muslim Identity During a Time of Tension explores life inside an Islamic Center and school in present-day America. Melanie Brooks' work draws on in-depth discussions with community and school leaders, teachers, parents and students to present thoughtful and contemporary perspectives on many issues central to American-Muslim identities. Particularly poignant are the children's voices, as they discuss their developing identities and how they navigate the choice of being American, Muslim, or both. The book covers topics ranging from establishing the community and the considerations involved, the management of diversity within the community, and approaches to modern opinions on and experiences of gender and extremism in the western world. Based on focus groups, interviews and observations collected over a two-year period, this book serves as a fascinating and informative insight into the culture and experiences of modern American Muslims. This is essential reading for students and researchers interested in education, religion, politics, sociology, and most particularly in contemporary Islamic studies"-- Provided by publisher.