: Growing Numbers of Muslims Homeschool Their Kids

It started with educational supplements like Muslim youth camps, after-school programs, and Sunday schools at mosques, and has even grown to full-time Muslim schools in areas with high Muslim populations. But as many Muslims seek more control over the education of their children, many are turning to homeschooling as a viable alternative to public or private full-time education. The reasons are as varied as the American Muslim landscape. “My sons didn’t learn enough about [their] religion,” explained homeschooling parent Faizah Badeges. “Now my husband and I are teaching them about other religions, about the similarities the religions share. We’re teaching them to accept other people.” Others cite a lack of intellectual challenge, the need to instill Islamic social values in the face of a youth culture that is increasingly sexualized, and the lack of full-time Muslim schools in the area. ArabesQ, an online Muslim home-schooling advisory organization, says it has served 30,000 Muslim homeschooling families, many of whom are determined not to sacrifice quality in order to get an Islamic education. “I didn’t pull my children out of public school so they can memorize the Koran,” explains Afeefa Syeed of Sterling, VA. “Home schooling is all about ensuring a holistic education and ensuring that my children grow into good people.”

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.