ABSTRACT

Perceptions of Muslim women in Western society have been shaped by historical and sociological conditions such as colonialism, patriarchy and Orientalism. In Muslim Women in Britain, Sariya Contractor seeks to reinstate the Muslimah as a storyteller who tells her own story.

An exploration of the lives of British Muslim women, this book examines issues of femininity, Britishness, inter-communal relations and social cohesion. Presenting the reader with incisive narratives of Muslim women on familiar topics such as the hijab, Muslim women in the media and feminist debate, particularly in a Western context, Sariya Contractor makes a valuable contribution to the existing literature on Islamic studies, social anthropology, feminist philosophy and social cohesion.

Presenting a complex and nuanced retelling of Muslim women’s realities as explored through their own voices, stories and experiences; this book will be of interest to scholars and students of Islamic studies, Women’s studies, Social Anthropology and Sociology seeking a fresh perspective on Muslim women in Britain.

chapter |11 pages

Introducing Muslim women's voices

part I|42 pages

Giving voice

part II|63 pages

Taking voice

chapter 5|13 pages

Women's narratives of the hijab

chapter 6|13 pages

Islamic feminisms

chapter 7|11 pages

Metaphors, Muslim women and ‘the media'

chapter |7 pages

Summary and conclusion

The power of voices: to talk, to share, to be