Editorial

Abstract

With the publication of this issue (Vol. 14, no. 4), AJISS becomes fourteenyears old. Though many years have passed, we still look forwardwith much optimism and determination to realizing the Journal’s originalgoals as stated in its first issue: “to serve as an effective bridge ofintellectual communication between various Muslim intellectuals in thecountry (USA) and beyond,. . . to serve as a medium of communicationbetween Muslims in the United States and their fellow countrymen ofdiverse faiths, . . . [and to] facilitate the ongoing dialogue and cooperationbetween “old world” Muslims and their brethren living in the West.”However, with the passage of time these goals have become focusedinto one principle: to provide a comprehensive Islamic vision that relatesIslamic principles to issues of contemporary thought and social realities.To achieve this through a genuine process of ijtihad, Muslim scholars,academicians, and professionals are required to excel in their own fieldsof specialization, to have a thorough understanding of Islamic sources,and to have a sound knowledge and acquaintance of the changing socialrealities and circumstances.The field of education, to which this issue of AJISS is dedicated, offersus a compelling challenge to our professed goals. From the beginning,we realized its importance. In the second issue of AJISS, it was pointedout that “close examination of both current and past trends in AmericanMuslim communities show the disruptive impact of public schooling onIslamic culture. Research designed to initiate an educational alternativefor Muslim communities is vital and long overdue.”What is clear now is that various alternatives should be developed atthe same time. During the last fifteen years tens of full-time Islamicschools have been established in the USA and Europe. Hundreds ofevening and weekend schools have also been established. Alternativecurricula and textbooks are needed. This is not to neglect the publicschool system where the majority of Muslim children will continue tohave their education and where stereotyped and false images of Islamand Muslims in various textbooks and library collections continue tobombard the minds of students, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Effortsto approach local school authorities, teachers, and textbook publishers to ...