Integration Migration and Islam as a Challenge for Early Childhood Education

Abstract

In Western Europe Islam is not treated as a religion as such. Whether attitudes towards Islam are conceived of as Muslimphobia, there is evidence that believing and cultural Muslims are confronted with many kinds of stereotypes on different levels. These attitudes can also be found with professional staff in elementary education and they present a challenge for education of professionals in elementary education. Existing approaches are mostly focused on an interreligious dialogue and tolerance, and, recently, on the prevention of radicalization. They also treat Islam as “something special”. On the other hand, Muslim religious education or practices form part of the life world of children in migration societies. This chapter argues that in order to strengthen the capacity of educational staff working with children from a Muslim background it is important to regard Muslim faith or practices as “normal” as they present a part of the children’s life world.