Challenges of Islamic Education in the Muslim World and the West: A Comparative Study of the Influence of Geopolitics and State Policy

Abstract

Islamic education in Muslim-majority countries and Western countries faces different challenges shaped by geopolitical dynamics, state policies, and the social and cultural conditions of each region. This study aims to analyze the challenges of Islamic education in both contexts, identify the influence of geopolitics and state policies on its implementation, and compare the characteristics of the issues encountered. This research employs a qualitative approach through library research using a descriptive-comparative method. Data were collected from national and international journal articles, academic books, educational policy documents, and official reports from international institutions. The data were analyzed using content analysis and comparative analysis, focusing on geopolitical dynamics, state policies, and the institutional capacity of Islamic education. The findings indicate that Islamic education in Muslim-majority countries faces challenges related to political instability, armed conflicts, unequal access to education, limited funding, and disparities in institutional quality. Meanwhile, Islamic education in Western countries encounters issues concerning institutional recognition, equal rights in religious education, adaptation to national educational regulations, and the preservation of Islamic identity within multicultural societies. This study further reveals that these differences are not solely determined by the majority or minority status of Muslim communities but are also influenced by political systems, political stability, and the relationship between the state and Islamic educational institutions. Therefore, the development of Islamic education requires inclusive, adaptive, and context-sensitive policies through institutional strengthening, equal access to education, curriculum reform, and improvement of human resource quality.