Advocating for Muslim American Students in School Settings

Abstract

Muslim American students deal with many challenges, including bullying and discrimination in schools due to their religious identity, resulting in adverse psychosocial outcomes. From a social justice advocacy stance, school counselors can play a vital role in empowering this student population. It is also school counselors' ethical responsibility to develop multicultural competency and promote diversity by gaining knowledge and skills regarding cultural elements. Therefore, this chapter endeavors to give voice to Muslim American students and serve as a resource for school counselors and educators to work with Muslim youth in PK-12 schools effectively. More specifically, this chapter provides an overview of the Muslim population, identifies critical tenets of Islam, explores significant challenges Muslim students experience in schools along with detrimental effects of discrimination on their psychosocial health and suggests practical recommendations for school personnel including school counselors to facilitate positive social interactions and healthy development of Muslim youth.