Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Grow Mama Grow

Home
About
Contact
All Posts
- Islamophobia and The Prophets: What We Can Learn
- Is Islamophobia a Reality at School? How to Talk to Your Kids About It
  - There’s a Used Condom on My Door Handle: Hate Crimes and the Burden of Proof

Home
Muslim
Our Choice: Public School

Our Choice: Public School

Last updated on: March 3, 2011 at 11:21 am by Admin GrowMama

Our Choice: Public School 2011-03-03T11:21:31-04:00 Admin GrowMama

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

There is a fascinating thread on the GrowMama discussion board about the benefits of public schools versus alternative schooling. This piece was written before that discussion was underway and is not a response. We hope readers will share their thoughts on this topic in both the comment section of the blog and on the discussion board!

My husband and I are committed to sending our daughter to public school. On a very rudimentary level, we took this for granted since we both went to public schools. But, really, our decision is the natural consequence of a few principles we hold dear:

1. We are American. We do not feel about any other country as we do about America – our birthplace and homeland. American history, the good and bad, is as much our history as is Islamic history, with its good and bad. We assert very strongly that we are American, and that an American identity can encompass many different “races,” “ethnicities,” and ideologies.

2. We were created to participate. My husband and I are involved with the Islamic movement in America, and we strive to live our lives according to the Qur’anic ayah:

Let there arise from amongst you a group of people who call to the good, advocate for what is right and forbid what is wrong. They are the successful ones. (3:104)

For us, this means translating the message of Islam into something that is of benefit to our society. We strive to convey the message of Islam through interpersonal relationships, interfaith work, general “neighborliness,” and hopefully through example. But we are also deeply committed to civic participation. Islam needs to have a voice at the table when America struggles with its institutions and social problems. It is our responsibility to offer the solutions contained within Islam. And, rather more to the point, what is the use of living here – living anywhere – unless we are contributing to some positive change?

3. We are never ONLY parents. When we parent our daughter, we parent as comprehensive humans and Muslims. We don’t separate out our duty to God, society, our child, our parents, ousrelves, etc. We don’t think about Khadijah’s education in a vacuum – that the only thing school is about is, well, education. It is also about social development, communal responsibilities, interpersonal relationships, compromises, challenges… it’s about growing up to be a well-equipped adult.

What does all this mean for school choices? When we think about Khadijah’s school choice, we think about the choice in the context of what we feel is our responsibility as Americans and Muslims, as well as parents. The public school system is an American institution, one that serves the vast majority of American children. If we care about the future of these children (and our country), we must be involved in the system and contribute to its positive development. We must engage.

We also think it is important for our daughter to be exposed, early on, to the types of situations that she’ll be dealing with her whole life (assuming that she – like us – will be engaged in civic matters and have a diverse group of friends of all faiths). School is also a nice way to do it because the challenges and their seriousness tend to mature gradually as she matures. In Kingergarten it is, “Why don’t we celebrate Christmas?” In middle school it is, “Why don’t I go to school dances.” In high school, it is, “Why are those two boys in a romantic relationship?”

We also have the hope (no pressure!) that she can be source of learning about Islam for her peers and teachers. It is a responsibility every Muslim has, and a proud, engaged, sensitive person can more effectively convey Islam to someone than any number of books, websites, or news shows.

Don’t get me wrong – we do have natural concerns. But our strategy has been, and inshaAllah will be, communication and participation. Regular communication with our daughter will help us understand what is going on in school and what challenges she is facing. It will help our daughter understand that her parents are always on her side – no matter what. Participation in her school will help us understand the environment she is learning in, and will help her school understand her and her family better. I think this also helps prevent the school-home dual personality issue.

There are pros and cons to every schooling choice, but we are committed to public school for our daughter’s sake, and for the sake of the adult she will become and the responsibilities she has been given by Allah (swt).

Bhawana Kamil

Bhawana Kamil lives in Santa Clara, CA with her husband and daughter. She teaches Ethics at San Jose State University, and is the president of the Bay Area chapter of the Muslim American Society – but only on the side. Her real job is watching (and hopefully helping) her little girl grow up!

Schooling

Allah

benefits of public education

Previous Post

March 3, 2011

Dealing with Hate

Next Post

March 10, 2011 Remembering the Goal

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book and Movie Reviews Community Connecting with Allah Counselor's Corner Environment fatherhood five stars GrowBaba Spotlight GrowMama Picks Growmama Roundup Health Light Fare marriage Motherhood Reflections moving Parenthood Photography Poems Schooling Self-development tragedy Tutorials Uncategorized

Select a Month December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 November 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which chapter in Proverbs describes detailed work habits of the ant?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Proverbs 31 Proverbs 24 Proverbs 6 Proverbs 2