Social Consciousness in Canadian Islamic Schools?

This note presents the results of interviews carried with lead teachers in four of Toronto's full-time oldest and largest Islamic schools. The study found a distinct development of pedagogical aspirations among these four schools. Teachers all reported encouraging and teaching about social consciousness as a fundamental aspect of faith practice. The note also traces how in the wake of 9/11 these schools have engaged in an explicit attempt to create a space for the teaching of social justice through fundraising, dialogue, and community activism. However, the note concludes by an analysis showing that the predominant conception of social justice in this establishment remains outward looking rather than inwardly critical.