Identity Construction through Transnational Feminism in Minaret by Leila Aboulela

Abstract

The construction of identity, an ongoing and complex process, is shaped by both internal and external factors that contribute to a sense of individuality and personal formation. However, this process might become complex when viewed globally, as factors such as globalization, colonial legacies, migration patterns, and economic structures significantly shape identity formation. A critical perspective known as transnational feminism acknowledges that global forces such as capitalism, colonialism, and migration, as well as individual and cultural factors, shape identities. In this context, identity construction emerges as a critical field of inquiry, illuminating how the interplay of power dynamics, historical legacies, and regional experiences shapes women’s identities. In doing so, it rejects Western feminism’s tendency to universalize by highlighting the interconnectedness of gendered experiences across national and cultural boundaries. This study aims to analyze the construction of identity, shaped by both individual and cultural frameworks, through the perspective of transnational feminism in Leila Aboulela’s Minaret. It will also include a textual analysis of key excerpts from Minaret to explore Najwa, the protagonist, and her internal struggles, especially her moments of challenging Western norms and strengthening her identity through her faith and cultural background. By analyzing Najwa’s personal journeys alongside those of other female characters, this study aims to demonstrate that, despite differences in experience, background, and geography, there is common ground for crossing borders and creating a transnational feminism that challenges fixed identity constructs and promotes solidarities rooted in shared differences and local struggles.