Should Muslims pursue only Islamic education, or secular Western education? This question is often considered by Muslim parents when planning their children’s schooling. The answer arguably lies in Islamic history, which offers many examples of righteous Muslims who successfully engaged with both systems, each serving distinct purposes and goals. This article explores the history and aims of modern Western and traditional Islamic education, and examines how engaging with both can benefit contemporary Muslims.

We’re living in a world full of conflict. Muslims being brutalised in Palestine, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and beyond. For our brothers and sisters in Palestine, we have seen the invasion and occupation of cities, settler violence, starvation and journalists being killed.