Female Muslim students in mission schools_ a phenomenological study at evangelical Presbyterian college of education, Bimbilla

Abstract

This study examined the pre-college and college experiences of female Muslim students of Evangelical Presbyterian College of Education, Bimbilla. The study adopted the qualitative approach where 20 respondents were sampled using the purposive sampling technique. The method of data collection was interviews and focus group discussions. Gender and identity negotiation theories were used as the theoretical framework for this study. The study showed that female Muslim students of the college do not aspire to leadership positions due to several factors that militate against them. The study also revealed that Muslim women at the College constructed their identities around Islamic culture including veiling and handshaking prescriptions. The study further found that Muslim women experience cultural difference, non-Islamic socialization engagements and liberation. The study concludes that female Muslim students pre-college and college phenomenological experiences led to feelings of inclusion and exclusions at different levels, cultural difference, and partial religious liberation.