Abstract

As Western European governments take steps to ban overt religious dress in civic spaces, the freedom of Islamic students to express their faith has come under fire. Taking into account the historical contexts for Muslim immigration to Western Europe as well as the trajectory of recent legislation, I consider the effects such restrictions have on the self-esteem of Islamic students and offer alternatives that intend to strike a balance between secular educational systems and religious expression. Among the alternatives considered are Islamic schools, multicultural education, and allowing students to wear their religious dress.