Shaping Muslim Young People's Religious Identities

Abstract

Over recent decades, Muslim children's education in the UK has been central to political and social debates linked to integration, identity, and security. These discussions intensified after events like the Prevent strategy, which disproportionately targeted Muslim communities. Despite their prominence in public discourse, Salafi communities are under-researched, especially regarding their educational experiences and perspectives. This research explores the educational preferences, perceptions, and experiences of Salafi families within a Manchester community. Parental perceptions of social and cultural factors influenced school choices, with the community aiming to preserve a Salafi identity resistant to secular or liberal influences. This study focused on three spaces—schools, mosques, and homes—to understand how Salafi parents and youth see education's role in shaping Muslim identity, defined here as adherence to Islamic moral and religious standards.