Representation of Islamophobia and Resilience Strategies: An Islamic Feminist Study of S.K. Ali's Love from A to Z

Abstract

This study examines the representation of Islamophobia and the strategies of resilience adopted by Muslim characters in S.K. Ali’s Love from A to Z (2019), through the combined theoretical lens of Saba Mahmood’s Islamic feminism and James C. Scott’s theory of resistance. The study explores how Zayneb, a visibly Muslim teenager, deals with and resists Islamophobia in both public and institutional settings. Through qualitative textual analysis, the research shows how the characters adopt both clear and subtle forms of resistance, ranging from vocal confrontation to silent defiance and emotional self-awareness. The findings reveal that Zayneb’s hijab, faith, and refusal to remain silent in the face of discrimination serve as active forms of resistance, challenging stereotypes about Muslim women’s passivity. Furthermore, the study finds that Islamic feminist agency in the novel is deeply rooted in religious consciousness, emotional resilience, and collective solidarity. This research contributes to literary and feminist studies by demonstrating how fiction becomes a powerful site for marginalized voices to counter dominant narratives. It highlights how Muslim women’s lived experiences of Islamophobia are not only shaped by external oppression but also by inner strength and a conscious assertion of identity.