Culturally relevant picturebook for Middle Eastern Muslim students’ healing
Journal for Multicultural Education
ISSN: 2053-535X
Article publication date: 12 January 2023
Issue publication date: 4 July 2023
Abstract
Purpose
In this paper, the author adapts the concept of culturally relevant pedagogy and the pedagogy of hope for Middle Eastern Muslim students' education. This paper aims to develop a new perspective for educating Middle Eastern Muslim students by focusing on Islam by considering being Muslim as a cultural way of being and living.
Design/methodology/approach
Pedagogy of hope (Hooks, 2003), particularly the concept of healing in education and culturally relevant pedagogy (Ladson-Billings, 1995), guided this study during the research process.
Findings
Three themes of culturally relevant pedagogy through a picturebook by Mobin-Uddin (2007) entitled The Best Eid Ever was examined to illustrate how this picturebook can be used as an example of culturally relevant pedagogy.
Research limitations/implications
The limitation is the researcher’s interpretation as a Middle Eastern Muslim who lived in a Western country. The Best Eid Ever (2007) can be used in the classroom for Middle Eastern Muslim students' education to discursively build a positive identity and educate students from different backgrounds. More studies may investigate other texts (e.g. novels) with Middle Eastern Muslim characters. Further research can also explore the use of this book in the classroom.
Originality/value
This study provides qualitative description of a picturebook from culturally relevant pedagogy and pedagogy of hope to guide teachers to bolster Middle Eastern Muslim students’ schooling experiences.
Keywords
Citation
Gultekin, M. (2023), "Culturally relevant picturebook for Middle Eastern Muslim students’ healing", Journal for Multicultural Education, Vol. 17 No. 3, pp. 265-277. https://doi.org/10.1108/JME-10-2021-0188
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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