HOUSTON — Iman Academy, an Islamic private school on the southwest side of town, opened 30 years ago with three core values: Love America. Respect self, family and American institutions. Be a positive, contributing American citizen.
School leaders want students, almost all of whom are Muslim, to graduate with the understanding that they are essential to America — that being a good citizen has more to do with what they contribute and how they treat others than their religion.
“We are all Americans at the end of the day,” said Manha Navaid, an 18-year-old senior who is secretary of the student council. “Apart from religion, politics or whatever, we all want the best for this country.”…