Disparagement of Islamic Femininity and the Pervasiveness of Racial Prejudice in Western Society: A Postcolonial Feminist Perspective of the Selected Narrative

Abstract

This research article aims to highlight nature of racial prejudice in Western culture and its influence on Muslim women, as portrayed in the selected narratives, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf by Mohja Kahf and A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi. The objective is to examine how modern Anglophone literature depicts Muslim women in the diaspora, notably in terms of language discrimination, cultural identity and personal relationships. The thematic analysis and critical reading reveals literary aspects and representations that underscores Muslim women's struggles in Western Countries The researcher has used qualitative approach based on post-colonial feminist theory to analyse the selected narratives and McKee's interpretive textual analysis as research method. The researcher has used the concepts like autonomy, resilience, cultural integration, prejudice and identity under consideration to dive deep into the study. The study primarily has revealed linguistic discrimination, power dynamics, ingrained prejudice, cultural inferiority, Western paternalism and racial biasness in the selected narratives. The study concludes the pervasive nature of racial prejudice in Western society and its negative impact on Muslim women highlighting the linguistic discrimination, cultural hypocrisy, racial classification, marginalisation and disparagement of Islamic femininity. These narratives urge readers to examine their biases and fight for structural reforms to address deep-rooted injustices, encouraging a more inclusive and equitable view of human variety.

Keywords: Disparagement, Racial Prejudice, Islamic Femininity, Cultural Integration, Post-Colonial Feminism and Western Stereotyping