My Hijab Covers my Mane, Not My Mind: Challenges Facing South African Muslim Women Academics

Muslim women in South Africa constitute 1.6% of the population, yet they have and continue to contribute significantly to the economy, pursue political freedom and rise to the upper echelons of academia. Research reveals that the identity of South African Muslim women centres on Islamic principles,...

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Main Author: Quraisha Dawood
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Research and Postgraduate Support Directorate 2024-02-01
Series:African Journal of Inter-Multidisciplinary Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://137.158.157.31/index.php/ajims/article/view/1424
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author Quraisha Dawood
author_facet Quraisha Dawood
author_sort Quraisha Dawood
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description Muslim women in South Africa constitute 1.6% of the population, yet they have and continue to contribute significantly to the economy, pursue political freedom and rise to the upper echelons of academia. Research reveals that the identity of South African Muslim women centres on Islamic principles, such as modesty and dietary requirements, and cultural roles, such as being a mother and a homemaker. Despite Muslim women being more visible through media in recent years, literature shows that many remain marginalised, misunderstood, and often discriminated against for not subscribing to the dominant culture of the Western workplace. The study explores the challenges Muslim women academics face in South African higher education institutions when fulfilling their professional roles while maintaining Islamic and cultural obligations. Viewed through the lens of social identity theory, the chapter provides insight into the lived experiences of seven Muslim women academics and how they navigate the often-exclusionary spaces of academia. It will also provide practical solutions which may mitigate marginalisation and promote inclusivity within the South African academic landscape.
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spelling doaj.art-f426abe4c5234824af7b95da546058672024-04-17T16:43:36ZengResearch and Postgraduate Support DirectorateAfrican Journal of Inter-Multidisciplinary Studies2663-45972663-45892024-02-0161My Hijab Covers my Mane, Not My Mind: Challenges Facing South African Muslim Women AcademicsQuraisha Dawood 0The IIE Varsity College, South Africa Muslim women in South Africa constitute 1.6% of the population, yet they have and continue to contribute significantly to the economy, pursue political freedom and rise to the upper echelons of academia. Research reveals that the identity of South African Muslim women centres on Islamic principles, such as modesty and dietary requirements, and cultural roles, such as being a mother and a homemaker. Despite Muslim women being more visible through media in recent years, literature shows that many remain marginalised, misunderstood, and often discriminated against for not subscribing to the dominant culture of the Western workplace. The study explores the challenges Muslim women academics face in South African higher education institutions when fulfilling their professional roles while maintaining Islamic and cultural obligations. Viewed through the lens of social identity theory, the chapter provides insight into the lived experiences of seven Muslim women academics and how they navigate the often-exclusionary spaces of academia. It will also provide practical solutions which may mitigate marginalisation and promote inclusivity within the South African academic landscape. https://137.158.157.31/index.php/ajims/article/view/1424academiaexclusionMuslimsocial identitywomen
spellingShingle Quraisha Dawood
My Hijab Covers my Mane, Not My Mind: Challenges Facing South African Muslim Women Academics
African Journal of Inter-Multidisciplinary Studies
academia
exclusion
Muslim
social identity
women
title My Hijab Covers my Mane, Not My Mind: Challenges Facing South African Muslim Women Academics
title_full My Hijab Covers my Mane, Not My Mind: Challenges Facing South African Muslim Women Academics
title_fullStr My Hijab Covers my Mane, Not My Mind: Challenges Facing South African Muslim Women Academics
title_full_unstemmed My Hijab Covers my Mane, Not My Mind: Challenges Facing South African Muslim Women Academics
title_short My Hijab Covers my Mane, Not My Mind: Challenges Facing South African Muslim Women Academics
title_sort my hijab covers my mane not my mind challenges facing south african muslim women academics
topic academia
exclusion
Muslim
social identity
women
url https://137.158.157.31/index.php/ajims/article/view/1424
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