‘My child is a blessing’: Exploring the role of religion for Muslim parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

This study explores the role of religion in the experiences of Muslim parents raising children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the United Kingdom. While parental experiences in SEND research have received increasing attention, there continues to be limited focus on the role of religion, both within educational psychology and broader psychological research. A qualitative approach was adopted, using reflexive thematic analysis to analyse semi-structured interviews with eight Muslim parents, including six mothers and two fathers. The study was grounded in an Islamic ontological and epistemological framework, aligning with a growing tradition of decolonising research by centring non-western worldviews and reclaiming religious ways of knowing. The findings highlight the central role of a religious lens in shaping how parents perceive their child's SEND, make meaning of their experiences, adopt coping strategies, and engage with community and professional support systems. Drawing on these findings, the study developed a conceptual framework illustrating the link between religious beliefs, practices, and social contexts in shaping parental resilience and religious identity. This framework demonstrates that religion is a primary lens through which lived experience is interpreted. The research highlights the need for educational and psychological practice to engage more meaningfully with religious worldviews when supporting Muslim families, challenging secular assumptions and contributing to culturally and religiously responsive models of SEND support.