- Home
- Our Region
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Education Among Early Muslims In Trinidad
Education Among Early Muslims In Trinidad
- By Nasser Mustapha
- Published 03/4/2009
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Unrated
Nasser Mustapha
Dr. Nasser Mustapha is currently the Head of Behavioural Sciences Department, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Consulting Editor for the Encyclopedia of Caribbean Religions, (a York University Project). Author of two widely used textbooks on Sociology for Caribbean Students. He has served as Member of the Subject Panel and as Chief Examiner for CAPE Sociology since its inception and has published several journal articles on drug abuse, education and stratification, and the sociology of health.
View all articles by Nasser MustaphaConclusion
This article gives an overview of the Muslim involvement in education in Trinidad and Tobago. It examines the community’s successful battle with the forces of acculturation and assimilation. The information indicates that the Muslim community has successfully struggled to maintain a visible identity in the face of numerous forces that sought to threaten its very existence.
It also considers the period of assimilation after World War II despite the concession to operate schools, which went hand in hand with increased social mobility. The subsequent arrival of knowledgeable persons who were able to teach Islam to English-speaking people and the availability of Islamic literature in the English language led to a re-awakening among the local Muslims. This revival and increased interest took place from the early 1970s in Guyana and Trinidad simultaneously. During this period the return of many persons of African descent to Islam increased significantly. Many of the returnees joined the existing institutions and whereas others formed their own groups.
It also considers the period of assimilation after World War II despite the concession to operate schools, which went hand in hand with increased social mobility. The subsequent arrival of knowledgeable persons who were able to teach Islam to English-speaking people and the availability of Islamic literature in the English language led to a re-awakening among the local Muslims. This revival and increased interest took place from the early 1970s in Guyana and Trinidad simultaneously. During this period the return of many persons of African descent to Islam increased significantly. Many of the returnees joined the existing institutions and whereas others formed their own groups.
