An Islamic-oriented educational leadership model: towards a new theory of school leadership in Muslim societies

Alazmi, Ayeshah A.; Bush, Tony

Abstract

In recent years, research into educational leadership has prompted growing appreciation for the critical role which both cultural and societal tenets can have in shaping school leadership approaches. With that in mind, this study examines a school leadership model grounded in Islamic values and beliefs. More specifically, this study attempts to develop an Islamic- Oriented Educational Leadership (IOEL) model for Muslim school leaders. This is an exploratory study designed within a qualitative paradigm of the interpretive, grounded theory process. Data were collected from twenty four international experts in Islamic educational leadership. Two main themes related to the IOEL model emerged from data analysis, namely: (a) Holistic Islamic Education, and (b) Cultivating Effective Model Leaders. Moreover, the researchers assert that the ways in which a school principal’s ethical and religious beliefs affect their mindset illustrates the significance of context in shaping school leadership. This study's findings have practical implications.

Citation

Alazmi, A. A., & Bush, T. (2024). An Islamic-oriented educational leadership model: towards a new theory of school leadership in Muslim societies. Journal of Educational Administration and History, 56(3), 312-334. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220620.2023.2292573

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 4, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Dec 13, 2023
• Publication Date: 2024
• Deposit Date: Dec 11, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 14, 2025
• Journal: Journal of Educational Administration and History
• Print ISSN: 0022-0620
• Electronic ISSN: 1478-7431
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 56
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 312-334
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00220620.2023.2292573
• Keywords: Islamic-oriented educational leadership; school principal; policy; school law; Islamic values and beliefs
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/28419782
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00220620.2023.2292573
• Additional Information: Dr. Ayeshah Ahmed Alazmi is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Administration and Planning in the College of Education at Kuwait University. She is Virginia Tech University Alumni, USA. She is a member of number of professional and academic associations, both local and international associations. She is the author for several papers and book chapters. Dr. Alazmi participates in several academic and professional committees, either chair, secretary or member. She is specialist in Education Leadership and Educational Law.