| dc.description.abstract | Gender relations have been a central aspect of human history, shaping power dynamics,
social structures and cultural norms. In many societies that privilege male authority,
women have faced significant challenges and discrimination. This study explores the
intricate relationship between gendered conflicts and the historical construction of the
identity of Muslim women in Sherine Hafez’s Biographical memoirs, Women of the
Midan (2018) and An Islam of her own (2011). The study was guided by four objectives:
to account for the significance of the biographical memoirs as a literary form that
analyses the strategies that Muslim women employ in asserting their agency in the face
of gendered conflict, to identify the forms of gendered conflicts in Islamic society as
presented in the selected biographical memoirs, to analyse the historical construction
of Muslim women in different dominant discourses as revealed in the selected texts and
finally, to examine the strategies Muslim women have used to assert their agency in the
selected texts. The research utilized a qualitative research approach and a descriptive
design, where a close reading and an in-depth analysis of the biographical memoirs was
done to examine the ways in which the Muslim women retell their identity, challenge
the oppressive systems, effect social change and assert their agency. Additionally,
secondary sources such as scholarly articles and critical essays on gender studies were
consulted to provide a broader theoretical perspective for the analysis. By employing
an Islamic feminist literary analysis approach and transcultural life writing theory, the
study aimed to uncover the nuanced ways in which Muslim women navigated and
respond to gendered conflict; by analyzing how actively they were involved in various
forms of activism, advocating for gender equality, social justice and political change,
and the findings are that Biographical memoirs provide a powerful and essential
platform for Muslim women to directly narrate their experiences, challenge Western
centric and patriarchal narratives and reclaim agency in defining their identities through
first-person accounts, fostering authenticity and connection with readers. While
acknowledging the subjective nature of memory, these biographical memoirs
authentically represent lived experiences and personal interpretations, crucial for
understanding how Muslim women navigate their identities amidst gendered conflicts
rooted in patriarchal expectations, gendered violence, and internalized beliefs within
predominantly Islamic societies. Historically, these conflicts are fueled by colonial
narratives and religious interpretations that constructed an inferior identity of Muslim
women, which they actively combat by reinterpreting religious texts, building
coalitions, and engaging in collective action to challenge inequality and assert their
agency. This study has provided insights into the strategies employed by these women
to navigate gendered conflicts and oppression offering valuable knowledge that can
inform the ongoing gender and autonomy debates. These findings will contribute to the
understanding of the complex relationship between gendered conflicts and the historical
construction of Muslim women. Further, the research has highlighted the significance
of Literature as a medium for exploring and amplifying silenced voices and in
particular, voices of Muslim women. | en_US |
