Challenges of Modern Muslim Womanhood as a Part of Spiritual Journey in Aboulela’s Minaret

Abstract

This paper attempts to analyze Leila Aboulela’s novel Minaret; and how she portrays in her novel the spiritual journey of Najwa the protagonist. Set primarily in postcolonial Britain and Sudan, Minaret narrates Najwa’s spiritual journey from a privileged secular woman to a devoted Muslim who rediscovers spiritual purpose amidst cultural dislocation. This paper explores Leila Aboulela’s Minaret (2005) as a literary portrayal of the modern Muslim woman’s journey through alienation, faith, and self-discovery and argues that Aboulela’s text constructs a feminist reimagining of Muslim womanhood—one that transcends Western stereotypes of oppression and instead frames agency through faith, modesty, and self-awareness. Aboulela here shows how the influence of strong faith helps a woman to deal with the challenges of modern society and how it is reflected on the decisions made by one. In Minaret, she delineates Najwa her protagonist's development in spiritual growth to overcome her challenges and build a strong connection with the Muslim community. It also hints that detachment from materialistic affiliation and seclusion from the external world is crucial in attaining connection with the transcendent.  The study draws on postcolonial and Islamic feminist frameworks to illustrate how identity crises, societal expectations, and spiritual transcendence converge within Najwa’s experience.