Abstract
The study sought to investigate how religion, Islam is represented in the English textbooks taught at Secondary School Certificate (henceforth SSC) level in Pakistan. However, the research has just been delimited to the government schools of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (henceforth KPK). Moreover, the study has also been delimited to reading passages and pictures/illustrations. There are two textbooks taught at secondary level: one each at Grade 9 and 10. The study was purely a qualitative study and the specific method employed was content analysis. In this connection, the linear content that is narrative text and non-linear that is pictures/illustrations of the selected textbooks were investigated. Firstly, the reading passages of the two textbooks were explored to know about the representation of Islam and what aspects of it are portrayed in the prescribed textbooks. Secondly, the pictures/illustrations of both the textbooks were also analyzed to know about their possible connection with Islam. The results of the study reveal that Islam being the state religion and an important component of Pakistani culture has been given sufficient coverage in both the textbooks. As far as the different aspects of the religion Islam are concerned, the textbooks provide information about Islam and its teachings, Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), Caliphs, and notable Personalities of Islam. Nevertheless, the textbooks do not provide adequate information regarding other religions and groups which is important for interfaith harmony. Therefore, it is recommended that other religions of the world should also be given space in the textbooks.