This study explores the negotiation of identity among Muslim women in Leila Aboulela’s Minaret (2005) through a theoretical framework informed by Homi K. Bhabha’s (1994) concepts of hybridity and ambivalence, integrated with postcolonial feminist and intersectional lenses. Focusing on the protagonist Najwa’s experiences in Sudanese and British diasporic contexts, the research examines how faith, culture, gender, and migration intersect to shape Muslim women’s selfhood. Employing qualitative textual analysis, the study reveals how Minaret challenges dominant Western feminist stereotypes by portraying religious practices such as veiling as acts of agency and empowerment. Through a Bhabhaian perspective, the analysis highlights the complexities of cultural displacement and the formation of hybrid identities, emphasizing the protagonist’s resilience in negotiating patriarchal and postcolonial constraints. By bridging literary and sociological perspectives, this research contributes to a nuanced understanding of Muslim women’s identities in diaspora, advocating for more inclusive feminist frameworks that respect cultural specificity. The findings hold practical implications for social policy, education, and community engagement, fostering greater awareness of the diverse realities and empowerment strategies of Muslim women in global contexts.
