Unvarnished Truth of Islamophobia: A Case Study of Misrepresentation of Muslim Identity in “The Fatwa Girl” by Akbar Agha
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55737/qjssh.830011454Keywords:
Akbar Agha, The Fatwa Girl, Islamophobia, Muslim Identity, Misrepresentation of Muslim IdentityAbstract
This research thesis carefully examines the complex relationships between literature, Muslim identity, and the widespread issue of Islamophobia by critically engaging with the novel The Fatwa Girl written by Akbar Agha. Through content analysis, the study seeks to expose the implicit representations and analyses found in the novel, highlighting the complex ways in which Muslim identity is constructed and Islamophobic myths are maintained in the narrative. Through an analysis of the novel's role in the spread of Islamophobia and a close examination of its complex depiction of Muslim identity, the study highlights the moral obligations of writers and publishers—the current study contributes to the broader discussion of how literature shapes public attitudes towards Muslims and Islam. The study offers a strong analytical framework and is based on postcolonial theory as expressed by Edward Said in Orientalism and multicultural literary theory, which was influenced by Homi Bhabha's The Location of Culture. Literature's transformative effect on societal biases and identity conceptions is revealed, advancing enlightened conversations in a culture dealing with complex Islamophobia.
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