Narratives of Muslim Womanhood and Women's Agency

This book provides an analysis of Muslim women’s own narratives of socially and culturally appropriate womanhood in contemporary society. The personal narratives counterbalance the stereotypes of submissive Muslim womanhood often presented in mass media. It was originally published as a special issue of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations.

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Portrayals of Islamic teachings in mass media, often present Muslim women as victims of patriarchal norms. Often covered in a full veil, and without individuality, they tend to be depicted using a monochrome image, across Muslim countries and regions. It does not portray the social reality and expectations of Muslim women, which are in fact diverse and contextual. This book consists of articles that attempt to answer the question, are Muslim women merely passive objects in constructing their role, despite the spread of social media and the Internet, the increased demands of earning disposable income for their families, and their migration to non-Muslim countries around the world?

It closely examines women’s agency in negotiating their role in Muslim-majority societies and in new places of settlement (Australia). These articles analyse Muslim women’s narratives in a wide range of economic, political, social and cultural milieu and their relationship to identity construction and portrayal in the new millennium. This volume was originally published as a special issue of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations.