Summarizes the challenges surrounding the foster placement of Muslim children. While the primary goal is to reunite children with their birth families, there is a shortage of families willing to care temporarily for a Muslim foster child. Even though foster parenting is not adoption, it is not an easy commitment. Moreover, the immigrant Muslim community in the United States has concerns about Muslim children being brought up in nontraditional families. Thus, Muslim foster parents who have been settled in the U.S. have the potential to make a difference: they understand both the culture and values of which the children are a part as well as the larger society in which the immigrants are living. Muslim communities must develop systems not only to help families at risk for disruption, but also to provide Muslim homes for children when needed. Since the concept of foster care is foreign to many Muslims, Islamic scholars need to study the foster care system in relation to Islamic teachings. By doing so, they can instruct the Muslim community in how to accept the responsibilities of caring for foster children within the guidelines of their religion.
