Islamic Education in Secular Europe: Governance, Mediation and Pluralism

Abstract

This article explores the negotiation of Islamic education within secular schooling systems in Europe, focusing on governance challenges, teacher mediation, and pluralistic approaches to identity and tolerance. Using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), the study synthesizes research conducted in the Netherlands, Finland, Germany, and the United Kingdom to examine how Islamic educational values are accommodated in public frameworks. The findings reveal persistent obstacles, including unequal access to religious education, tensions between religious commitments and secular expectations, and policy asymmetries across national contexts. Teachers are identified as pivotal actors who mediate between Islamic traditions and dominant secular norms, supporting Muslim students’ identity formation while facilitating their social adaptation in plural societies. Furthermore, pluralistic pedagogical orientations are shown to enhance mutual recognition and cultivate students’ capacity to engage constructively with cultural and religious diversity. By highlighting these dynamics, the study contributes policy-relevant insights for designing inclusive educational arrangements that balance religious identity with secular governance, thereby strengthening tolerance and cohesion in Europe’s multicultural environment.