School Advocacy Hub
Ensure better learning experiences for Muslim students.
Years of research from across the country indicate that Muslim students consistently face the highest rates of faith-based bullying and harassment from adults and peers in schools. As a result, Muslim students indicate feeling unsafe at school, which is correlated with negative academic, behavioral, social, and mental health outcomes.* ​
​
Most Muslim students attend public schools, where they often have to advocate for their right to observe their religious beliefs. Muslim communities must work with schools to ensure that Muslim youth feel safe and supported as they learn to navigate their identities and stay true to their beliefs.
​
This resource hub provides easy access to tools that AMAC and Muslim organizations across the country have created to support Muslim students in their schools.
​
*Research found in Institute for Social Policy and Understanding's American Muslim Poll (2022) and the Islamic Network Group's Bullying Prevention Guide.
Help Advocate for Muslim Students: Take this Survey (and get a $10 gift card)!
Share your experiences as a K-12 Muslim student or caregiver in this short 10-20 minute survey and receive a $10 gift card for helping us understand Muslim students' experiences!
Public, charter, and private school students and families are invited to participate in this survey.
Know Your Rights
In the state of Tennessee, children between the ages of six and 17 are legally required to attend school. Even though schooling is mandatory, students and legal guardians maintain rights, including in public schools.
​
Click on the buttons below to know your rights as students and parents.
Tennessee's Department of Education's guide to rights and responsibilities in special ed.​
Curriculum Resources
Over the years, AMAC has responded to numerous concerns about Islamophobic curriculum materials used in classrooms to teach about Islam and Muslims. The resources below were created to help educators use unbiased, accurate, and authentic literature to teach students about Islam and Muslims.
Curriculum guide to help educators select and teach with literature about Muslims
This resource includes tips on identifying Islamophobia in curriculum materials, facilitating student discussions and learning about Islam and Muslims, and access to a list of books that have been recommended by Muslim librarians, readers, and educators.
​
Book recommendations for children and young adults featuring Muslim stories
Most of these books are written by Muslim authors and authentic to experiences of Muslim communities across North America and the world.
Note: This list is not all-inclusive. Also, these books have Muslim characters, but are not Islamic books selected or intended to provide religious guidance or teachings.
AMAC's campaign to make sure Muslim youth have access to positive representation in their schools and public libraries.
​
Select a book off this list and AMAC will make sure it is delivered to a library or school where it is needed! If you have a specific school or library you would like to donate to, please let us know in your gift note.
Letters for Religious Accommodation and Exemption
Throughout the school year, AMAC provides students with letters to help request religious accommodations from school policies. Download the letters below and share with your school as needed.
​
Additionally, here is a resource created by CAIR to help explain Islamic religious practices to educators.
​
Note: Letters for Ramadan and Eid will be updated within at least week of the holiday start date.
Bullying Resources
Reports find that 48% to 80% of Muslim youth have experienced faith-based bullying and harassment — higher rates than any other faith group. These bullying prevention resources are from Muslim American experts across the country, but can be beneficial to families across Tennessee.
​
AMAC does not claim responsibility or credibility for the content linked below.
Islamic Networks Group (ING)
One-Page Handout for Adults about Bullying in Schools
This tool will help parents be aware of signs that their children are being bullied, talk to their children about it, and identify next steps to take. ​
Family Youth Institute (FYI)
Bullying Prevention Toolkit
Includes resources to understand the impacts of bullying on Muslim youth and has information for parents and communities to talk about and respond to bullying.
​
Islamic Networks Group (ING)
Bullying Prevention Guide
Explains bullying, how to prevent bullying, and tips to identify and respond to bullying in schools and mosques.
​
Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
Educators Toolkit
Includes resources to help educators identify and respond to faith-based bullying of American Muslim children.
​
Council of American-Islamic Relations - Massachusetts
Bullying Report of Massachusetts Muslim Youth
Includes research on the experiences of Muslim youth, as well as ways to respond through legal and school action in Massachusetts.
​
Youth Mental Health Resources
AMAC has created a page dedicated to youth mental health resources from Muslim organizations across the country. This page contains phone hotlines and online resources for youth, as well as tools to support parents, guardians, and other adults in the community that work with youth.
​
AMAC does not claim responsibility or credibility for the content.
​