Maltese Muslims and education

Abstract

This study focuses on the diverse ideals of identity, citizenship and justice with particular emphasis on how the ideals of Maltese identity and citizenship as portrayed in the National Minimum Curriculum and in normative discourse impact the Maltese education system. These are explored through the lens of Maltese Muslims, who have to contend with a curriculum that does not do justice to their history and religion. Consequently a number of Muslims have opted to send their children to Mariam Albatool, the only Maltese Islamic school. The study also concerns the right of Muslims to a quality education that respects their culture and religion and which does not marginalize them. In the liberal, representative model of democracy equality and sameness are interchangeable. On the other hand, deep democracy focuses more on social justice. These models are explored with reference to the rights of Maltese Muslims to free Islamic education.