More than just... The construction and (re)negotiation of Dutch Muslim women’s identities related to feelings of belonging and security, in the context of the multiculturalism discourse in the Netherlands

Abstract

"The main question of this research is: How do Dutch Muslim women construct and (re)negotiate their (religious and national) identity in Utrecht in relation to feelings of belonging and security in the context of the current multiculturalism discourse? This thesis explains the identity construction and (re)negotiation of Dutch Muslim women in Utrecht, with a special focus on feelings of belonging and security. With this in mind, we have conducted a ten-week fieldwork in Utrecht, amidst the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. In the conclusion, we argue the importance of fluidity and individuality when it comes to the identities of Dutch Muslim women, and how these women have to constantly adjust, claim, and perform their identities. This perpetual battle of struggling against certain frames sustained and strengthened by both the media and politics (e.g. ‘the homogenous Muslimah) makes it difficult for Dutch Muslim women to be perceived within all these facets of their identity. In addition, we argue that when fluidity and individuality are achieved in the perception of Dutch Muslim women’s identities, feelings of belonging and security are achieved as well within feelings of being oneself. A Dutch Muslim woman is more than just that! "