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Title: Challenging Muslim Female Identity and the Conflict of Western Social Expectations and Religious Visibility: A Postcolonial Feminist View
Authors: Muhammad Asghar, Abdul Hamid Khan
Journal: Guman
Publisher: Inspire Research & Education Institute
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2024
Volume: 7
Issue: 3
Language: English
This Paper examines Muslim women's struggles with social expectations and religious identities in two novels: "The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf" by MohjaKahf and "Does My Head Look Big In This?". In the context of Muslim women's feminine identities amidst conflict due to religious visibility like Hijab in socially anticipated and demanding western settings, modern Anglophone literature is examined. Post-colonial feminist theory is used to analyse the text qualitatively through critical reading revealing literary aspects and representations that underscore Muslim women's struggles in Western countries. The research uses McKee's interpretive textual analysis, emphasising context and various interpretations as the autonomy, resilience, cultural integration, prejudice followed by identity were key words and themes in data collecting.The research revealed that Muslim women's complicated identity struggled between religious visibility and Western social expectations as in Randa Abdel-Fattah's work, the protagonist endured sleeplessness owing to the dread of wearing the headscarf in a potentially hostile situation. This internal conflict demonstrated how societal marginalisation affects Muslim women's mental health, as they must balance their religious identification with the dread of social discrimination. Additionally the conflict between cultural values and social inclusion is another important discovery as Uncle Joe's admonition to hide one's culture for social progress highlighted the conflict between cultural authenticity and social acceptability under which Muslim women and their families feel forced to sacrifice Islamic values for social and economic prospects in the diaspora. Similarly the protagonist's distress when her community is wrongly identified with Islamic radicalism showed how stereotyping affects relationships as this example demonstrated how daily micro-aggressions. On the other hand, Khadra's hijab experience in "The Girl with the Tangerine Scarf" emphasised its symbolic and emotional meaning as her resolve to wear the broken hijab showed her tenacity in keeping her cultural and religious identity despite social pressures. Along with that the ideological conflict between Islamic and Western values is concluded by Khadra's condemnation of Western individualism as her prioritisation of community over self-interest showed the basic difference in values.The research highlighted that Muslim women in Western nations struggle to preserve their religious and cultural identities despite competing social expectations. Identity negotiation is complicated by psychological stress, assimilation pressure, stereotyping and ideological disagreements while the Cultural competency, empathy and inclusive policies that recognise and accept multiple identities are needed to facilitate Muslim women's free expression.
Keywords: Identity Negotiation, Religious Visibility, Cultural Integration, Psychological Strain and Stereotyping.
To examine Muslim women's struggles with social expectations and religious identities in two novels, "The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf" by Mohja Kahf and "Does My Head Look Big In This?" by Randa Abdel-Fattah, within the context of religious visibility like the hijab in Western settings, using post-colonial feminist theory.
Qualitative textual analysis using critical reading and thematic analysis of two novels: "Does My Head Look Big In This?" by Randa Abdel-Fattah and "The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf" by Mohja Kahf. The research employed McKee's interpretive textual analysis approach, emphasizing context and various interpretations, underpinned by postcolonial feminist theory.
graph TD
A["Selection of Novels"] --> B["Qualitative Textual Analysis"];
B --> C["Critical Reading"];
C --> D["Thematic Analysis"];
D --> E["Application of Postcolonial Feminist Theory"];
E --> F["Interpretation using McKee's Approach"];
F --> G["Identification of Key Findings"];
G --> H["Discussion and Conclusion"];
The research discusses the psychological impact of the hijab on identity negotiation, highlighting internal conflicts and societal pressures. It explores the tension between cultural values and societal integration, where hiding cultural identity is sometimes seen as necessary for progress. The burden of stereotyping significantly challenges Muslim female identities and interpersonal relationships. Religious visibility, particularly the hijab, attracts marginalization but also serves as a symbol of resistance and identity. The ideological conflict between Islamic and Western values is a key aspect of identity negotiation for Muslim women in Western societies.
Muslim women's complicated identities struggle between religious visibility and Western social expectations, leading to psychological strain, conflict between cultural values and social inclusion, and the impact of stereotyping on relationships. The hijab holds symbolic and emotional meaning, representing tenacity and cultural/religious identity. There is an ideological conflict between Islamic and Western values, with Islamic teachings favoring community over Western individualism.
Muslim women in Western societies face complex and conflicting expectations, with psychological strain, pressure to adapt, stereotyping, and ideological disagreements complicating identity negotiation. The study emphasizes the need for cultural competency, empathy, and inclusive policies that respect and accommodate multiple identities to facilitate Muslim women's free expression and social integration.
1. Novel 1: "Does My Head Look Big In This?" by Randa Abdel-Fattah is cited as a source for exploring Muslim women's struggles. (Confirmed by reference and text).
2. Novel 2: "The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf" by Mohja Kahf is cited as a source for exploring Muslim women's struggles. (Confirmed by reference and text).
3. Theoretical Framework: Post-colonial feminist theory is used as the primary theoretical lens for analysis. (Confirmed by text).
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