Representing diasporic masculinities in post-9/11 era: the tragedy versus the comedy

Abstract

In the post-9/11 era, North American mainstream writers, critics, artists, and scholars while trying to understand the complexities of Islam, Muslim men, and their relationship to North America have created hegemonic discourses about Islam and Muslim masculinity. Diasporic writers such as Zarqa Nawaz, in her sitcom Little Mosque on the Prairie, and Mohsin Hamid, in his novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist, however, offer representations of masculinity that contest such hegemonic discourses about Muslims and reconstruct the Muslim man’s identity. Hamid and Nawaz each represent masculinities differently. Hamid’s tragic approach in his novel alienates readers because it has branded messages that create fear of the homegrown terrorists. The sitcom, on the other hand, provides laughter and has the power to deflect that fear. Humour works as a powerful strategy here for nonviolent resistance to oppression. It also breaks down cultural barriers and promotes interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Through her use of humour, Nawaz unfolds possibilities for further dialogue shortening the distance between ‘them’ and ‘us’, thus, initiating a modern convivencia and promoting co-existence. Thus, in the North American context where western media has reinforced stereotypes and prejudices against Muslims and Islam, Mohsin Hamid and Zarqa Nawaz seek to provide alternative narratives.