Exploring the Role of Muslim Faith-based Schools of Birmingham in Meeting the Religious ...

347 Pages·2017·10.02 MB·English

Exploring the Role of Muslim Faith-based Schools of Birmingham in Meeting
the Religious, Cultural and Educational Needs of Muslim Children and the
Expectations of Parents
An Empirical Case Study
By
Mohammad Arif Almakkawi
A thesis submitted to
The University of Gloucestershire
In accordance with the requirements of the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
In
Islamic Education and Theology
The Markfield Institute of Higher Education
August 2017
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Abstract
This research explored the role of Muslim faith-based schools in the culturally and
religiously diverse city of Birmingham in meeting the religious, cultural and educational
needs of Muslim children and the expectations of their parents. The economy- focus post-
Second World War mass migration to Europe has acted as the key catalyst for the modern
Muslim presence in the UK and wider Europe. While Muslim communities came from
ethnically and culturally diverse backgrounds, Islam has defined their collective identities.
With the joining of their families, the first generation of British Muslims have began to
realise the challenges of maintaining Islamic values and identities among their offspring who
were growing up within an overall secular and multicultural society. This has marked the
establishment of Mosques, community centres and most crucially faith-based Islamic school
in the UK.
The relevance and desirability of faith-based schooling in general and Muslim schooling in
particular has come under a close security in the UK. This study focused on the case of
Muslim schooling within the context of multi-faith and multicultural city of Birmingham. The
study explored parental motives behind the choice of Islamic schools, their distinctive
educational ethos and how they address the challenge of helping Muslim children integrate
into the wider multicultural British society.
The study adopted an empirical research methodology through utilising a mixed-methods
research design to investigate its key questions. The main data collection tools were survey,
semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The study sample included 133
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parents, 36 students who graduated from schools and 33 teachers and governors running
Muslim schools. The quantitative data was analysed using the SPSS software and the
interview and focus group discussion were analysed by adopting qualitative data analysis
procedures.
The overall research findings suggested that parents held positive views of the Muslim
schools but at the same time had high expectations about their general academic
achievement as well as the Islamic Education provision. Most of the parents shared the view
that Muslim schools needed to adopt a more integrated approach to the curriculum striking
the balance between Islamic and secular subjects. Parents overwhelmingly thought that the
Muslim schools did contribute to the social and cultural of integration of Muslim children
into the wider multicultural and multi-faith British society. However, one of the significant
findings of the survey analysis was the fact that parents appeared to be ambiguous about
the overall achievement of schools in adequately meeting the academic and Islamic
religious, moral and spiritual needs of their children.
The conclusion chapter summarised the key findings of the study and discussed the
implications of the findings for improving the quality of Islamicfaith-based schooling within
the context of secular and multicultural British society.
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Acknowledgement
In the name of Allah, Most gracious, Most Merciful.
I would like to express my gratitude to all the Muslim faith-based schools participated in this
study and to people who have contributed to the data collected in this study, especially all
those who took time out of their busy schedule to participate in the lengthy semi-structured
interviews, group discussions as well as those who completed the questionnaires. Without
your participation, this study would not have been possible. I would like to thank you all
collectively and individually for your trust and the detailed information you have provided
enabling me to assemble this thesis.
I would like to thank my lead supervisors Dr. Abdullah Sahin for his assistance, valuable
guidance and ideas in assembling this thesis as well as giving me confidence and
encouragement throughout this journey. I would also like to extend my thanks to my
colleagues at my place of work (Al-Hijrah Schools Trust-UK) who have always been
supportive and encouraging especially Br Saqib and Sr Ijaz.
Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to say a special thank you to my wife, Balqees
along with my sons Faris, Adeeb as well as the twins Hammaad and Jawwaad for their
continuous support, encouragement, patience and bearing with me during my study years.
Mohammad Arif AlMakkawi
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Dedication
To my mother and father (my first teachers) who have been working extraordinary to
educate me throughout my life, yet they themselves were not learned. May Allah elevate
their ranks in Paradise and accept all their efforts as a form of SadaqahJariyah (For ever
rewarding). Ameen.
Without their support and love my life experiences and accomplishments would not have
become apparent.
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Declaration
I declare that the work in this thesis was carried out in accordance with the regulations of
the University of Gloucestershire and is original except where indicated by specific reference
in the text. No part of this thesis has been submitted as part of any other academic award.
The thesis has not been presented to any other education Institute in the United Kingdom
or overseas.
Any views expressed in the thesis are those of the author and in no way represent those of
the University.
Signed …………………………………….............................................….. Date: 28 August 2017
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Terminology
‘adl – is another word for divine justice in Islam.
‘ilm – is the Islamic term for knowledge.
Adab – Arabic term that prescribed Islamic etiquette.
Akhirah– Is an Islamic term referring to the afterlife.
Akhlaq –The practice of virtue, morality and manners in Islamic theology.
(AS) Alayhi s-salām– Peace be upon him (prophet Muhammad).
Allah – The Arabic name for God.
Aqeedah – Refers to an Islamic term that means creed. Any religious belief system, or creed,
can be considered an example of aqeedah.
Ayah – verse of the holy Qur’an
Dunya – Is an Islamic term that refers to the world (Earth) in general.
Fatwa – A ruling on a point of Islamic law given by a recognized authority.
Fitrah – A word that has no equivalent English translation but is often translated as
'primordialpure human nature', ‘instinct’ or common sense.
Hadith – a collection of traditions containing sayings of the Prophet Muhammad(SAW)
which, with accounts of his Sunnah, constitute the major source of guidance for Muslims
apart from the Qur’an.
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Hajj– the greater Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah which all Muslims are expected to make at
least once in their lifetime if they can afford to do so, which takes place in the last month of
the Islamic calendar. It is a Pillar of Islam.
Halal – literally means permissible but is commonly translated as lawful.
Haram – refers to things that are forbidden according to the Islamic law.
Hijab – An Islamically prescribed way of dress.
Hijab – is the Muslim head scarf worn by many Muslim women as a symbol of modesty and
privacy.
Hikmah – is an Arabic term meaning wisdom.
Ibaadah – is the Islamic term for the worship, obedience, submission, and devotion to Allah
(God) along with the ultimate love for Him.
Iblees– In Islam, Iblees is a jinni who refused to bow for Adam.
Imam – a religious minister in Islam
Jibreel – the Arabic name for the Angel Gabriel
Khalifatullah – God’s vicegerent/stewardship
Khutbah – A formal speech or sermon which occurs regularly in Islam. It often refers to the
sermon given during the Friday congregation prayer.
Madrassa(s)– within the context of British Islam largely refers to informal community-based
Islamic religious schools.
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Makkah– is a city in Saudi Arabia. The birth place of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The
holy city of Makkah is visited by millions of Muslims each year for the ritual pilgrimage.
Masjid – A Mosque, an Islamic place of worship.
Medinah – is a city is Saudi Arabia. It is the second most holy city of Islam (after Makkah),
with it being the burial place of Muhammad SAW.
Muslims – they believe there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad (SAW) is his final
messenger.
Qur’an – Islamic sacred book, believed by Muslims to be the word of God dictated to the
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by the Angel Grabiel
Sadaqah – is the Arabic word for charity.
SadaqahJariyah – Is an Islamic term that means Continuous Alms/Charity. A continuous
charity is an action that someone does that remains active even after the person is dead.
Salah – Is Arabic word for Prayer. There are five obligatory prayers throughout the day that
Muslims are expected to fulfil. It is one of the Pillars of Islam.
(SAW) Sallahu Alaihi Wassalam- Peace and blessing be upon Him(Prophet Muhammad)
Sawm – fasting in the month of Ramadan, from dawn to dusk. It is one of the pillars of
Islam.
Shari’a – A body of moral and religious teachings .
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