Why don’t you establish your own school?

Why don’t you start your own school?

This study describes how the interpretations, aspirations and development of the school identity of Islamic primary schools evolved between 1988 and 2013. It provides an overview of the most significant turning points in Islamic education and considers the impact these turning points have had on identity development.

This research features the governors and headteachers of Islamic primary schools who have at least ten years’ experience in shaping school identity. The study demonstrates how complex and diverse the identity of Islamic primary schools is. It also highlights how important these schools are for the emancipation of Muslims in the Netherlands. Islamic primary schools are quintessentially Dutch institutions that make a vital contribution to a safe and nurturing educational environment.