Reaching the Minds of Young Muslim Women: Girls’ Madrasas in India

In Reaching the Minds of Young Muslim Women, the author investigates traditional institutions of Islamic learning for Muslim girls. While a lot is known or thought to be known about Madrasas for boys, similar Islamic schools for girls have up to now escaped public attention by and large. In the aftermath of 9/11, Madrasas received and continue to receive much public attention, also in the media, mostly owing to the alleged link between Madrasa education and forms of violence. This study asks what is taught in Madrasas of girls, how they emerged, whether they are different from Madrasas for boys, and how the young women interpret Islam in the light of what they learn. Observations suggest that apart from what is taught officially, the informal curriculum plays an equally if not more important role. The aim of studying in the Madrasa appears to reach beyond formal education, as life and learning in the Madrasa serve to bring about an all-encompassing reform of the students.