Reforms in Islamic Education: International Perspectives

Description

In recent times, there has been intense global interest on and scrutiny of Islamic education. In reforming Islamic schools, what are the key actions initiated and are they contested or negotiated by and among Muslims? This edited collection brings together leading scholars to explore current reforms in Islamic schools. Drawing together international case studies, Reforms in Islamic Education critically discusses the reforms, considering the motivations for them, nature of them and perceptions and experiences of people affected by them. The contributors also explore the tensions, resistance, contestations and negotiations between Muslims and non-Muslims, and among Muslims, in relation to the reforms. Highlighting the need to understand and critique reforms in Islamic schools within broad historical, political and socio-cultural contexts, this book is a valuable resource for academics, policymakers and educators.

Charlene Tan is a Professor in Educational Policy and Leadership in the Faculty of Education at the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

The volume offers critical accounts of Islamic educational reforms in diverse contexts of the Muslim world. Various eminent scholars provide fresh and learned perspectives on the dynamics helpful in engaging with the principle, policy, and practice of reforms in Islamic education. * Mohammad Talib, Lecturer, Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Oxford, UK, and Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Fellow in the Anthropology of Muslim Societies, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, UK * This volume of collected studies about some of the current debates about education across the World of Islam provides valuable insights into the diversity of Muslim opinion about such things as the aims, methods, content, logistics and ownership of Islamic Education. The fact that it surveys both Muslim-majority and Muslim-minority contexts, and what are generally perceived as 'progressive' and 'conservative' education systems, greatly adds to its usefulness. -- Professor Hugh Goddard, Director of the HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World, University of Edinburgh This fine and balanced collection of essays makes an extremely valuable contribution to the growing field of studies on Islamic education. With an unusually broad and international authorship, this book captures some of the breadth and diversity of opinion on the history, aims and philosophy of education animating reforms in many parts of the Muslim world. This is essential reading for scholars working both inside and outside the field. -- Michael S. Merry, Professor of Philosophy of Education, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands Anyone who has bothered to study contemporary Islamic education knows that it is anything but the monolithic caricature so frequently depicted in the popular press. It is complex, diverse, and dynamic. The essays contained in this volume offer valuable insight into the diverse reality that is contemporary Islamic education. -- Jeffrey Ayala Milligan, Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, The Florida State University, USA This book is opportune in this age of globalization of Islamic educational institutions, and will convey appropriate information concerning educational reforms of Islamic education to Muslims as well as non-Muslims all over the World. The book covers different aspects of Islamic education and different geographical areas. -- Holger Daun, Professor, Institute of International Education, Department of Education, Stockholm University, Sweden