Download Muslim Students in United States

Understanding
Muslim Students
Cajon Valley School District
Presenter: Noha Ireiqat
November 15, 2011
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
Who are the
Muslim
students?
Religious
aspects that
impact
schooling
experience
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
Cultural
aspects that
impact
schooling
• Where are they from?
Country
•
How many religious denominations are
there in Iraq?
Muslim: Sunnis & Shi'as
Christianity: Chaldeans
•
Educational System in Iraq
• What language do they speak?
Arabic and English
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
Where are Muslim students from?
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
The Educational System in Iraq:
What languages do they speak?
O Iraqi children come under
one umbrella. The
umbrella of the Arabic
language.
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
O The school system in
Iraq is segregated.
O Students who come
from overseas begin to
learn English from fifth
grade.
O Basic skills of reading,
writing, and speaking.
O Not prepared to
communicate in
English.
Religious aspects that impact schooling
experience:
• Pillars of Faith
• Pillars of Islam
• Praying
• Fasting
• Dress Code
• Islamic Holidays
• Dietary Needs of Muslim Students
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
The Sixth Pillars of Faith
Belief in Allah (God)
Belief in Angels
Belief in Scriptures
Belief in Prophets
Belief in Day of Judgment
Belief in the Divine Creed
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
The Five Pillars of Islam
O Islam is a monotheistic religion
O Muslims believe there is only one God and
O
O
O
O
O
Muhammad (PBUH) is his messenger.
Pray five times a day
Fast during the month of Ramadan
(Obligatory)
Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle
Give charity
Make a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia,
once in their lifetimes.
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
 Muslims are required to pray five times a day.
One of these times will at least fall during school
hours.
Students need a quiet place to pray in, at the proper
times.
A student can pray during lunch time, alone and
silently in a corner. It would only take no more than
an average of 3-5 minutes to complete.
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
Sawm (Fasting):
Obligatory fasting is done once a year for the period of the month
of Ramadan. Fasting during this time is obligatory on every Muslim
adult if he is mentally and physically fit and not on a journey.
Fasting means that Muslims abstain completely from eating, drinking,
and intimate sexual contact from the break of dawn until sunset.
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
What do you know about the
Islamic Dress Code?
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What are their holidays?
Eid-ul-Fitr
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Eid-ul-Adha
What is the teacher’s role when
he/she chooses to hold a
classroom party with food?
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What are the dietary needs of
Muslim students?
O Halal food
O No pig or pork products
O Pizza Party
O No Gelatin or Mono and diclycerides
O Marshmallows
O No Alcohol
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
What are some cultural
differences?
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
Patriarchal Society…non-Islamic
In Islam, may a female seek
education and work?
•
There is no legal provision in either the
Qur'an or the Sunnah of the Prophet
(PBUH) which prohibits women from
seeking a career or a job.
•
There are certain fields which are
particularly recommended for women
to study so that they can equip
themselves better for the role that
Allah has created them for, and these
are: medicine, nursing, home
management, health care, child
psychology, etc.
•
If there is a conflict between this and a
career, Islam says motherhood should
take precedence because of its
importance to society.
O In Islam, learning is not simply a
right for everyone, it is a duty
and responsibility:
O The Prophet (PBUH) said,
"Seeking knowledge is
mandatory on a Muslim male
and female". This saying of
the Prophet is confirmed by
the Qur'an which says that
Allah endows a higher status
on those who are
knowledgeable.
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
O Why are the parents not involved
with the school?
O Why do the students lower their gaze
at the desk?
O Why do the students not argue or
discuss subjects with their teachers?
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
The Educational System is Very
Different- More Strict.
O It is considered as disrespectful to
the teacher’s authority.
O A way of respect to the teacher.
O Students learn at home to respect
and listen to their teachers.
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
What Are
Some Ideas
to Help
Muslim Students?
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
Parents’ involvement is a key
Parent meetings with teachers
Make supporting materials to take home
Recognize the difference in culture within
school systems between here and overseas
Encourage the students to speak and share their
culture
Teacher’s role is to make the students more
comfortable
Example: use greetings and expressions of
courtesy to gain the students’ trust and
confidence
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
What Are Other Things That
Teachers Need to Know
About Muslim Student?
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
o The religion of Islam does not permit the unnecessary
mixing of males and females.
o Parents may ask that their child be excluded from certain
P.E. activities for modesty's sake.
o Locker room- modesty
o Shorts prohibited for females
o When swimming is required- for male and female
o Muslims are also prohibited from shaking hands/hugging
with members of the opposite gender.
o Muslims will also expect their child to be excused from
any non-Muslim holiday celebrations.
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
What are common issues that
Muslim students face daily?
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
O Suppose a student approaches you and confided in
you that they are being bullied and/or taunted
because…
O They wear the hijab?
O They are fasting for Ramadan?
O They express that they can not eat pepperoni pizza for
a classroom party?
O They are not allowed to dress in shorts or a swimsuit
for P.E.?
O They are being made fun of because they are Middle
Eastern?
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
O Just like any situation, teachers must be aware of
the bullying, name calling, and taunting occurring
amongst their students.
O The students need to understand that this is
unacceptable.
O If it is being done by a larger group, allow the
student to share with their peers their differences
due to their culture and/or religion.
© Noha Ireiqat 2011
Any Questions
or
Concerns?
Thank You
ً‫شكرا‬
Shoukran
© Noha Ireiqat 2011