Islamist Responses to Educational Reform

Abstract

There is no doubt that the events of 11 September 2001 have had far-reaching consequences for the international perception of education systems in the Islamic world. The US government, in particular, has strongly criticized both religious schools outside state control and national educational curricula as sites of possible Islamic militancy. As a result, many Arab states, including Jordan, have witnessed public debates in which members of national governments and Islamist opposition groups appear at odds about the need for curriculum changes and educational reform.