Encountering western feminism in Leila Aboulela’s fictional world

Abstract

In contemporary times, Arab feminism has emerged as a critical discourse that demands equal rights for Arab women by challenging patriarchal authority and gendered power structures. The second wave of Western feminism has generated significant global influence by universalizing women’s issues and promoting a single feminist framework for women’s liberation. Arab feminism has not remained outside of its influence. However, the realities and experiences of Arab women are shaped by distinct cultural, social, religious norms and expectations of Arab society, resulting in diverse issues and understandings of liberation which are not adequately addressed yet. The prominent Egyptian author, Leila Aboulela has introduced a new framework of Arab feminism that effectively considers the distinct social, cultural and religious realities of Arab women while highlighting the limitations of Western feminist ideals in Arab contexts. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the way in which Aboulela’s fictions challenge the dominant Western ideology and perspectives of women’s liberation by delineating their authentic realities, their ambitions and understandings of liberation which are deeply intertwined with cultural and religious norms and values. This research emphasizes that a separate and unique feminist model, independent of Western influence, is required for Arab women that will adequately address their concerns and issues based on their geopolitical and social contexts. Also, this study claims that Leila Aboulela has set an example of a distinct model of Arab feminism where Islamic values and genuine feminine desires of family and community life co-exist with independence and empowerment.