Competing Constructions of “Muslim-ness” in the South Delhi Neighborhood of Zakir Nagar

Abstract

This paper connects the historic consolidation of corporate Muslim identities at the national level in India with the narration of local identities in a predominantly Muslim neighborhood in South Delhi. The discussion is based on interviews with women and men living in the predominantly Muslim area of Zakir Nagar in Delhi. Residents often spoke about the existence of a “Muslim mahol” (social environment or culture), that existed in their neighborhood. However, the way that this sense of “Muslim-ness” was constructed varied and was differently privileged, depending on the social position of the narrator. For middle-class respondents in particular, the Muslim character of the neighborhood was listed as a priority. As well, the way religious identity was privileged was different for women and men. Therefore, although increasing feelings of marginalization and insecurity amongst Muslims can be connected to the construction of the locality and localized identities, the ways in which religious identity is described and privileged must also be looked at in relation to a host of other identifications including class, gender and regional affiliation.