The report surveys Islamic Studies curricula studied in The United States and Canada. Four out of the five curricula are published in the United States; one is published in Saudi Arabia for teaching in North America. Other than the latter curriculum, our main conclusion overall is that Muslim education in North America includes many positive elements, is flexible and generally tolerant. They contain a clear “us versus them” paradigm that rejects materialism, secular or liberal Islam. The materials demonstrate a respect for Christians and Jews but show hostility to Israel and distort the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including instances of erasing Israel from maps.
Between Sharia and Democracy: Islamic Education in North America
October 4, 2016
Recommended Research
Review of the Jordanian Curriculum 2025-2026
Aug 11, 2026
REGIONS
As Houthi violence continues to make headlines, its roots can be seen by analyzing Houthi educational materials from a decade ago.
In mathematics materials from 2015–2019 documented by IMPACT-se, children learn numbers by counting images bearing the Houthi slogan, which includes
Last week, IMPACT-se CEO Marcus Sheff addressed parliamentarians and policymakers at the House of Lords in London and the French Senate in Paris as part of a delegation of experts on countering extremism, facilitated by @TrendsRA_
Marcus highlighted the essential role of
In a recent article for @NRO, Perpperdine Univeristy (@pepperdine) President Jim Gash and Jeremy Tate, founder of the @CLT_Exam challenge the idea that schools should teach students how to think, rather than what to think.
They argue that education is never entirely neutral:
We are pleased to share that IMPACT-se participated in the 5th Paris Conference on Education (PCE2026), hosted by the The International Academic Forum (@iafor) at Sorbonne University.
Bringing together scholars, educators and policymakers from around the world, the conference
In a recent interview with @dailystarnews, Shireen Huq, a prominent women’s rights activist in Bangladesh, raises important questions about gender and inclusion in education—from the stereotypes embedded in what girls and boys are taught, to body shaming in textbooks and the role
As Syria's new leadership seeks closer engagement with Western governments, its education reforms offer an early indication of the country's future direction. This analysis examines what recent curriculum changes reveal about the regime's ideological priorities—from attitudes
A recent analysis from @PeaceNewsNet examines school textbooks in Iraqi Kurdistan and argues that they could do more to reflect the histories and experiences of the region's diverse ethnic and religious communities, including Arabs, Turkmen, Assyrians, Armenians, Yazidis, and
Every IMPACT-se researcher brings a unique lens to the study of education and society.
Asher Spekterman is a professional Arabic translator and researcher, specializing in Middle Eastern conflicts. He has extensive experience teaching Arabic translation and researching



