The Construction of British Muslim Identity in Kamila Shamsie’s Home Fire

Abstract

Home Fire (2017) by Kamila Shamsie is one of the most important novels of the present day to deal with the lives of the British Muslims in the post 9/11 era. Following the lives of a British Muslim family, explores issues of identity, citizenship, Islamophobia, migration, radicalization and belonging. In this research article, the novel is explored using postcolonial theory, diaspora theory and cultural identity theory; in order to examine the construction of British Muslim identity in the novel. The study suggests that Shamsie's work portrays Muslim identity as fractured, hybrid and politicised in the modern day and age of Britain. The article also shows that although British Muslims have a legal nationality, they feel excluded socially, subject to state surveillance, and to conditional citizenship. Shamsie challenges Western views on Muslims and reveals the heartbreak of alienation and marginalisation in the characters of Isma, Aneeka, Parvaiz and Eamonn. The study also analyzes how the gender, media representation and nationalism are contributing to the formation of Muslim identity. In considering the novel in relation to the political realities of today, this article argues that in Home Fire, British Muslim identity is seen as an ongoing discussion and negotiation of ideas between the concept of religion, culture and identity to their nation.