Kishwar Naheed and religious Nationalism in Pakistan

Abstract EN

This paper discusses religious nationalism in Pakistan and highlights the role of religion in the nationalist movement for independence and in the development of the nation-state.

The study focuses on the subjugating impact of the gendered aspect of this twin-force of nationalism and religion on Pakistani women especially through the relentless attempts to control their bodies, roles and sexuality.

The research paper mainly examines the intellectual and poetic stance of the Pakistani woman poet Kishwar Naheed towards the nationalist and religious disciplining of women's bodies and conduct onto which the image of the nation is projected, and which dramatically transforms matters of personal and individuals choices into national concerns and debates.