Part 4: Technicalities of following Islam and cultural collision in public schools.
There are many technical aspects to following Islam. There are a series of acts that are commanded and mandatory to follow, others that are forbidden. In between that also is another series of acts that can be deemed as recommended or discouraged to do. This part will go over the actual details and acts of following Islam for the Muslim students and families. It will demonstrate what one is technically obliged to do, what one would be technically forbidden from doing, and areas where Muslim students often feel conflicted. This part offers specific recommendations for educators in accommodating the religious practices of Muslim students and families while maintaining the priorities of running an educational environment that is efficient and focused on learning. Part 4 also greatly contributes to the empathy building that takes place in part 3. It also gives concrete windows to the educator into how home culture is comprised, capitulated upon, and often times lost in the school environment. A phenomena with great psychological implications for students, families, and communities, which is reflected upon. This part also builds specified background knowledge in teachers to be able to use the curriculum resources that are offered in Part 6, which are cultural exposés.
The specific recommendations for accommodations of religious practice of students and families illustrates a breadth of detail of this topic, pertaining to the public school system, that is available no where else. This is often found to be knowledge that entire school staff's need in order to be successful with action steps, and is especially pertinent for school leaders. Practical action steps will be found to be both short and long-term in orientation.