Noraini Md Yusof

Reconstructing Multiculturalism in Malaysia through Visual Culture

Abstract The terms ‘ethnicity’ and ‘race’ bear social and political importance in a multicultural society. Introduced in Malaysia by the British back in the colonial era, these terms have been influencing the politics of the state and everyday life of the grassroots. Since the early days of independence, Malaysia has been witnessing ethnic conflict and right from the very beginning of making a new Malaysia, the Malaysian governments have introduced concepts and plans to eradicate the ethnic conflict but it has not been very successful although the country boasts of its racial stability. Multiculturalism in Malaysia still remains an ambivalent nationalist project. In fact, the road to a collective national identity through multiculturalism is paradoxical. This paper examines how visual culture can help reconstruct a multicultural society and argues that Malaysia’s plan in creating a national identity will remain a myth as long as one ethnicity and its values are more important than other ethnicities. It also investigates whether a collective identity is really needed for a multicultural country such as Malaysia.

Scheherazad's Daughters: Views From A Muslim Diasporic Woman Writer

Abstract In this paper, we discuss the works of Mohja Kahf, specifically her anthology of poetry Emails from Scheherazad and her novel, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf, to show the challenges facing a Muslim practising Islam within the context of post 9/11. Mohja Kahf, of Syrian origin and now a creative writer and educator of literature residing in America, describes the experiences of the diasporic Muslim community as it adapts to its new home and foreign American customs, behaviour, and people. We will show the ways in which she comprehends her situation of being a hyphenated identity and what stereotypes of Muslims she debunks, rejects, or affirms. How she resolves the conflict of being a minority in a community where Islam is perceived with suspicion and sometimes derision will also be explored in our analysis of her works. There will undoubtedly be clashes, misunderstandings, and conflicts of opinions, but the learning curve of the diasporic resident will gradually become less precipitous, the slopes more gentle as she begins to negotiate the terrain. Kahfs works show a resolution of East-West conflicts as she comes to terms with the realities of being a hyphenated identity in America, and how she negotiates old ways with practices of the new host land.In this paper, we discuss the works of Mohja Kahf, specifically her anthology of poetry Emails from Scheherazad and her novel, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf, to show the challenges facing a Muslim practising Islam within the context of post 9/11. Mohja Kahf, of Syrian origin and now a creative writer and educator of literature residing in America, describes the experiences of the diasporic Muslim community as it adapts to its new home and foreign American customs, behaviour, and people. We will show the ways in which she comprehends her situation of being a hyphenated identity and what stereotypes of Muslims she debunks, rejects, or affirms. How she resolves the conflict of being a minority in a community where Islam is perceived with suspicion and sometimes derision will also be explored in our analysis of her works. There will undoubtedly be clashes, misunderstandings, and conflicts of opinions, but the learning curve of the diasporic resident will gradually become less precipitous, the slopes more gentle as she begins to negotiate the terrain. Kahf’s works show a resolution of East-West conflicts as she comes to terms with the realities of being a hyphenated identity in America, and how she negotiates old ways with practices of the new host land.