Narratives of Muslim Womanhood and Women's Agency

Portrayals of Islamic teachings in mass media, often present Muslim women as victims of patriarchal norms. Often covered in a full veil, and without individuality, they tend to be depicted using a monochrome image, across Muslim countries and regions. It does not portray the social reality and expectations of Muslim women, which are in fact diverse and contextual. This book consists of articles that attempt to answer the question, are Muslim women merely passive objects in constructing their role, despite the spread of social media and the Internet, the increased demands of earning disposable income for their families, and their migration to non-Muslim countries around the world?

It closely examines women’s agency in negotiating their role in Muslim-majority societies and in new places of settlement (Australia). These articles analyse Muslim women’s narratives in a wide range of economic, political, social and cultural milieu and their relationship to identity construction and portrayal in the new millennium. This volume was originally published as a special issue of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations.

Minako Sakai teaches at Southeast Asian Social Inquiry and Indonesian Studies at the University of New South Wales, Australia. She has published widely on Islamic businesses, microfinance and women, development policies and identity politics in Indonesia. She is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at CAP, the Australian National University.

Samina Yasmeen is Director of the Centre for Muslim States and Societies and teaches Political Science and International Relations at the University of Western Australia. She has conducted extensive research on Islamisation, jihadism and women in Pakistan, as well as Muslim citizenship in Western liberal societies.