The impact of integrating Islamic religious teaching in university programs on educational quality and alignment with Saudi Vision 2030: A systematic review (2016–2025)

Abstract

This systematic review explores the role of Islamic Religious Teaching in enhancing the quality of university education and supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. It investigates two main questions: how Islamic Religious Teaching improves educational quality in university programs, and how its integration contributes to achieving national educational objectives. A comprehensive search was conducted across five academic databases for studies published between 2016 and 2025, applying strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Six studies met the criteria and were fully reviewed and analyzed in terms of context, sample characteristics, and key findings. A consistent theme emerged, showing that Islamic Religious Teaching strengthens the quality of education and aligns with the aspirations of Saudi Vision 2030. A quality assessment tool was used to ensure the methodological rigor of the selected studies. The findings highlight the strategic role of Islamic Religious Teaching in creating a supportive learning environment and promoting a holistic and integrated educational system within Saudi universities.