Aboulela's Fiction: A Critical Analysis of Themes, Ideology, and Contribution to Muslim Immigrant Literature

Abstract

The fiction of Leila Aboulela sheds light on the changing socio-political and cultural landscape of Britain, particularly in relation to the growth of immigrant Muslim minorities and the Islamic resurgence. Her works explore themes such as migration, cultural perceptions and stereotypes, and the relationship between the sacred and the secular. Aboulela draws inspiration from Tayeb Salih's work but departs from it in significant ways by offering an alternative vision to the challenges of postcolonial nationhood. This paper aims to examine Aboulela's ideological worldview by exploring her allusions to Salih's work in The Translator (1999) and tracing her divergent approach in Colored Lights (2001) and Minaret (2005). Aboulela's contribution to Muslim immigrant literature seeks to articulate an alternative perspective derived from Islam but shaped by immigrant experiences. While her works challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about Islam, they also risk oversimplifying the experiences of Muslim immigrants and reinforcing stereotypes about gender roles.