Reconciling between Religious Obligations and Studies for Muslim Students in English Higher Education
Muslim students have expressed the need to observe their religious obligations while in higher education (HE). The observance of religious obligations is recognised under the Equality and Diversity Act 2010 as one of the nine protected characteristics: religion and belief (Gov.UK, 2015). However, th...
| Published in: | Research in the social scientific study of religion |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Brill
2022
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| In: |
Research in the social scientific study of religion
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| Further subjects: | B
History of religion studies
B Religious sociology B Social sciences B Religionspsycholigie B Religionswissenschaften B Religion & Gesellschaft B Vergleichende Religionswissenschaft & Religionswissenschaft |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | Muslim students have expressed the need to observe their religious obligations while in higher education (HE). The observance of religious obligations is recognised under the Equality and Diversity Act 2010 as one of the nine protected characteristics: religion and belief (Gov.UK, 2015). However, there have been signs of conflict between religious obligations and their studies. One example is of Muslim students leaving class early and returning late at lunchtime. Participants in this study expressed the importance of their prayer obligation over their studies, "I have to leave during lecture to pray outside and return; missing key information sometimes." Another example involved a Muslim student requesting he be allowed to pray while sitting his examination (Rajput, 2021). Such actions have raised concerns about how these students can benefit fully from a comprehensive study strategy (set goals, time management, track progress), while enabling their religious accommodation On campus. This paper examined the experience of Muslims, both, in their religious identity and as students in HE and how they negotiate their religious obligations while attempting to manage their everyday studies. The aim of this study is to contribute knowledge and a better understanding about Muslim students lived experience in HE. This paper explores the two most salient factors that impact Muslim students’ experiences; religious identity in secular institutions and managing their studies. Drawing on 139 survey responses and two focus groups from British-Muslim undergraduate students in a university on the outskirts of London, the study explores Muslim students’ perceptions of their experience of HE and their attitudes to their studies. The focus is on Muslim students’ primarily at the crossroads of their religious obligations and their studies; what are the drivers and how is this manifest. |
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| Contains: | Enthalten in: Research in the social scientific study of religion
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/9789004505315_011 |