Abstract
This phenomenological, qualitative study explores how institutional experiences contribute to Muslim students’ sense of belonging in higher education institutions on the West Coast of the United States. The data presented are drawn from a subset of a larger dissertation study conducted in May 2024. Using an informational survey with open-ended questions and semi-structured interviews, the study examined students’ perceptions of belonging. The sample included 23 survey responses and 10 in-depth interviews. Grounded in the Minoritized Religious and Spiritual Campus Climate (MRSCC) framework, the study examines how participants interpreted the adequacy of institutional accommodations for their religious and spiritual needs and how they perceived campus climate amid heightened sociopolitical scrutiny, particularly following the escalation of violence in the Middle East in 2023. Findings indicate that many participants felt insufficiently supported by their institutions, which shaped their sense of belonging and contributed to experiences of marginalization and vulnerability. As a result, students often turned to Muslim student organizations as primary sources of community, care, and solidarity during challenging moments. Overall, the study underscores the need for institutions to more intentionally account for how broader sociopolitical contexts shape Muslim students’ campus experiences and to provide culturally and religiously responsive support.
Recommended Citation
Majumder, Milie
(2026)
"Navigating Identity, Finding Belonging: Exploring Muslim Students’ Experiences in Higher Education,"
The Journal of Faith, Education, and Community: Vol. 8:
Iss.
1, Article 6.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/jfec/vol8/iss1/6
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