Showing our shit : the problematic representation of Islam in Muslim diasporic

Abstract EN

Muslim writers who present a disapproving picture of Islam and Muslim societies are often labelled by other Muslim critics as compradors and accused of contributing to neo-orientalist discourse and the demonized image of Muslims in the West.

In examining the representation of Islam and Muslims in Husain’s The Islamist, Yassin Kassab’s The Road from Damascus, Aslam’s Maps for Lost Lovers, and Moaveni’s Lipstick Jihad, this paper explores the writer’s responsibility to expose ‘truths’ unfavourable or unwelcome as they may be about his/her community.

For these authors, Islam is presented as either an oppressive regime, as in Saudi Arabia or Iran or through conservative communities living in the diaspora, for example, Muslims in the UK.

Through an investigation of these narratives, I will address the question: do such personal and critical Muslim voices, represented in memoir and fiction, lead to increased stereotyping, thereby endorsing hegemonic discourse against Muslims in media and politics? Or do individual narratives contribute to an increased understanding of how Muslims and non-Muslims perceive Islam, as well as illustrate the complexities and diversity that characterize Islam worldwide?