Muslim – non-Muslim marriages in the UK: perspectives from Muslim women experiencing marriage to non-Muslims

Elmali, Ayse (2019). Muslim – non-Muslim marriages in the UK: perspectives from Muslim women experiencing marriage to non-Muslims. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Despite the increased number of interreligiously married Muslim women, especially in Western countries, the phenomenon remains overlooked. This research aims to highlight interreligiously married Muslim women’s untold stories and to examine their experiences of being part of an interfaith marriage. The research illustrates that Muslim women’s interfaith marriages are seen as prohibited and unconventional by many Muslim scholars and communities, and they view this prohibition as a subject that is closed for discussion due to the traditional scholarly consensus supporting it. However, some contemporary Muslim scholars have started to discuss Muslim women’s interfaith marriages and argue that the rule and consensus regarding these unions should be re-evaluated considering the ways in which society and gender roles in today’s marriages are changing.

Using qualitative interviews with intermarried Muslim women, this study examines the impact of the families on Muslim women’s decision to marry a non-Muslim, how they deal with the religious differences in the family and the impact the interfaith union has upon their religiosity. The research reveals that ‘love’ is the main reason behind the Muslim women’s decision of interfaith marriage. The findings also indicate that while interfaith marriage does not directly impact Muslim women’s religiosity, community pressure and negative perceptions of their marriages have curtailed Muslim women and their children’s relationship with the Muslim community.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):