Reframing of the Self: Space, Religion and Identity in Aboulela’s Minaret

Lamia,, Lahrech; Pr. Ilhem, Serir

المصطلح
Volume 1, Numéro 19, Pages 33-42
2019-11-07

Reframing Of The Self: Space, Religion And Identity In Aboulela’s Minaret

Authors : Lamia, Lahrech . Pr. Ilhem Serir .

Abstract

Temporal and spatial rupture and discontinuity are recurring themes in Leila Aboulela’s Minaret (2015), as experienced by the main character Najwa. From the beginning of the novel we note how Najwa is conscious of space, Marooned between her past and present, her identity is fractured. Though she switches from finding relief in London’s unsacred places to the embracement of Islam. Najwa finds solace in religion that locates her in time and space. She finds a sense of identity and belonging through her newly found faith. The rupture involved in her transition from Khartoum to London is represented in her inability to fully reconcile the contours of her ethnic, national and religious identities. This paper explores the relationship between space and religion in reframing the Minaret identity of traumatized protagonist. It expends on knowledge on how trauma can be overcome in different cultures, than that of the west. More importantly, it shows that space is as essential as time in the representation, acting out and working through of trauma.