ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the intersections between religion and spirituality in Health and Physical Education (HPE) and sport for educators of Muslim learners. Applying an Islamic philosophy of education, and a strength-based approach, the chapter aims to extend for Islamic schools, approaches to unchallenged paradigms mediating HPE; and for Public schools, to shift educational discourse and practice from reductionist orientations that would problematize, marginalize, or exclude religion and spirituality in HPE. Applying Islamic conceptual anchors as a theoretical lens for the chapter, synergies between Islam and HPE are examined, a synthesis of studies on Islam/Muslim learners in HPE are considered, and a case study outlining ideas for how HPE can be transformed and how it can be transformative is offered, providing suggestions for renewed practice in HPE. Educators in Public schools can gain critical perspectives, practical strategies, and approaches to religion and spiritualty in HPE/sport for their Muslim learners. Educators in Islamic schools can gain deeper insight into the synergy between the learning area and the purpose of education in the Islamic tradition and the potentialities of a more faithful, responsive, and contextualized approach to HPE/sport in the context of an Islamic school and for their Muslim learners.
