How to Raise Muslim Kids in the West

Teach your kids daily practices and rituals in Islam with regular lessons and by being a positive role model. These include daily prayer, reading the Quran and giving to charity. Show them how these rituals are meant to be a part of their daily routine and give them time to relax, meditate and do something good for others. This will help your school-age child see these religious practices as beneficial rather than a chore.

Practice giving charity and being kind to others by following examples of the Prophet Muhammed in Islamic tradition. Teach him to be kind and help a classmate who isn't liked by the other kids. Encourage your child to follow the Prophet's example and smile at his friends and family members and forgive someone who is upsetting him. Take him to volunteer at a soup kitchen once or twice a month to teach empathy and consideration of those less fortunate.

Stress the importance of respect to others by using stories from the Quran and from the life of the Prophet Muhammed. Explain that according to Islam, it is very important to be respectful to parents, elders and teachers. A popular Muslim story narrates that the Prophet told someone to respect his mother three times to stress the importance of mothers in Islam.

Read stories about the prophets in the Quran so your child understands them properly. Explain that figures such as Abraham, Noah, Moses and Jesus are also prominent characters in other religions such as Christianity and Judaism. Compare the elements that Islam has in common with those faiths.

Guide your child to moderation by explaining that God calls Islam the "middle path" in the Quran because it is not meant to be extreme. It is a moderate religion that protects the health of the body and mind first and foremost. For this reason, school-age children are not allowed to fast. Allow your child to do a half-day or a fast of a few hours so he can take part in festivities in Ramadan.

Explain to your child why Muslims believe that they must eat food that is deemed "halal" and "tayyib" or pure. Explain that this means that the food they eat was made in God's name and was grown and processed in a clean environment, with specific methods. Talk to your child how to ask whether something contains an ingredient that they must not eat. Assure your child that many religions have special food requirements. For example, Jews also do not eat pigs and pig products.

Separate cultural beliefs and traditions from those grounded in Islam. This helps your child see that not all actions by those who call themselves Muslims stem from the religion. For example, the negative treatment of women in many areas of the world are due to cultural practices and socioeconomic conditions; they are not Islamic practices.