Public Education and Muslim Voluntary Organisations in Britain

Abstract

Since the beginning of their settlement in Britain, Muslims have had to face the challenges of adapting to a new social, cultural and economic environment, and also that of responding to the opportunities provided by the new environment. A particularly sticking challenge facing the Muslim community in Britain is in the field of education. Over the last four decades, a group of Muslim voluntary organizations has emerged which is characterised by its keen interest in the public education system of this country. Muslim voluntary organizations have been playing a key role in the educational debate pertaining to the nature of religious education, and the scope of moral and spiritual development in the school curriculum. In addition, these organizations have been active, through a process of consultation and collaboration, in providing educational services to state schools, local education authorities and government departments. This paper examines the development of such voluntary organizations and attempts to discern their role and impact on the public education system in Britain.