Towards solving the crisis of Islam in higher education

Abstract

This paper identifies the crisis in Muslim higher education as stemming from two unacceptable alternatives: (i) ethnically based Islamic education out of step with British culture and (ii) an ‘objective’ Islamic studies approach which is not held in esteem by the Muslim community. The path forward for Islamic education in Britain lies in highlighting the role of the study of Islam in higher education in both universities and private Muslim institutions as a necessary source of teachers and Imams for the Muslim community in the United Kingdom. This article examines the need for the Muslim community of Britain to have British educated and trained Imams to educate their youth in their mosques with regard to a Muslim ‘way of life’. The aim of this study is to explore the status of Muslim Imams in the UK with regard to their role as teachers and role models.