Empowering narratives: female solidarity and religious education in Leila Aboulela's minaret

Abstract EN

This article examines the transformative impact of women's solidarity and the profound role of religious education in disrupting traditional power dynamics fostering critical thinking and self-discovery for the protagonist Najwa in Leila Aboulela's Minaret (2005).

drawing inspiration from the theories of feminism and bell hooks' insights on the empowering potential of education, the study illuminates Aboulela's narrative exploration within the framework of established feminist and critical discourse.

by delving into Aboulela's evocative storytelling, the article underscores the interconnectedness of various forms of oppression that the protagonist, Nadjwa, endures and the transformative capacity of religious education to challenge societal norms and empower her in complex and nuanced ways.