What were the knowledges, scientific evidence and terms of recognition that constituted the object minority in the Indian subcontinent? How was minority produced simultaneously as a generalizable identity and as a naturalized marker of the Muslim identity? Focusing on the late colonial and the early postcolonial period, this dissertation is an analysis of the emergence of minority in relation to the nation-state in India. In doing that, I examine how minority came to be constituted as much by scientific knowledge produced about non-dominant communities, as by the discourse around electoral politics and constitutional rights. I demonstrate the possibilities and limitations in the way minority came to be constructed as a marginalized subject in governance and at the same time a difference from the national norm that threatened the ideal of the homogenous nation. Drawing on and contributing to scholarship in political history, history and sociology of science, and race and religious studies, this dissertation offers a reimagination of the relation between minority, nation and population.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: “Marginal” sexualities continue to be veiled by a cloud of silence and taboo in the Arab-Muslim societies. This study puts into conversation literary narratives by four writers of Maghrebian descent who have dared to break the intolerably irksome silence surrounding homosexuality. The novels of Rachid O., Abdellah Taïa, Eyet-Chékib Djaziri and Ilmann Bel are synchronous with the growing interest in the potential common points between literary production and queer sexualities in the Maghreb (and indeed other Arab/Muslim regions). Drawing on hermeneutic perspectives as well as diverse readings in gender and queer studies, this literary analysis deconstructs the problematic figure of the homosexual which is at once contentious as well as the locus of manifold discourses that are concerned with questioning the status quo whilst unveiling the unutterable. The literary construction and representation of “marginal” sexuality certainly plays a pivotal role in destabilising and challenging the simplistic conceptions of identity and value systems that underlie the designations of “correct and incorrect” sexual orientations and identities. Elaborating a comprehensive interpretative paradigm, this study attempts to fill the yawning gap in scholarship on the relationship between francophone literary production from the Maghreb and homosexuality. Adopting a tri-sequential approach, the study begins with an explanatory phase which contextualises queer sexuality as well as queer literary studies in the Maghreb and in France. An encounter phase follows offering a hermeneutic reading of the selected novels of the four writers, concentrating particularly on the definition, characterisation and general tonality of the literary works. The ultimate stage, the interpretive/theorisation phase, encompasses a re-reading of primary and secondary texts alongside each other so as to construct an original appraisal of the novels as well as develop a theoretically sound consideration of the construction of “marginal” sexualities in the selected novels. In addition to the above-enumerated tri-sequential approach, the argumentative flow of the study equally follows a three-pronged progression: production-text-reception. The first phase scrutinises the sociocultural, political and historical context in which the literary texts under consideration are created. The “text” phase analyses the novels in question in order to elaborate a theorisation of the construction and representation of “marginal” sexuality in the autofictional works of the aforementioned writers. The “reception” phase goes beyond the purely textual and delves into the possible impact of these literary texts on the everyday world of Arab-Muslim societies, in France as in the Maghreb. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: “Marginale” seksualiteite word steeds gehul in ʼn wolk van stilte en taboe in die Arabiese Moslemgemeenskappe. Hierdie studie ondersoek literêre narratiewe van vier skrywers van hierde streek wat dit gewaag het om die swaar en onuitstaanbaar hinderlike stilte rondom homoseksualiteit te verbreek. Die romans van Rachid O., Abdellah Taïa, Eyet-Chékib Djaziri en Ilmann Bel verskyn wanneer daar toenemende belangstelling ontstaan in uiteenlopende aspekte van en potensieel gemeenskaplike eienskappe tussen literêre produksie en sogenaamde “queer” seksualiteite in die Magreb (en ook ander Arabiese/Moslemstreke). Hierdie literêre analise, wat gebruik maak van hermeneutiese perspektiewe asook diverse gender- en queerstudies, dekonstrueer die problematiese figuur van die homoseksueel wat terselfdertyd omstrede én die lokus is van menigvuldige diskoerse wat gaan oor die bevraagtekening van die status quo terwyl die onuitspreeklike openbaar gemaak word. Die literêre konstruksie en uitbeelding van “marginale” seksualiteit speel beslis ʼn belangrike rol in die destabilisering en uitdaging van die simplistiese voorstellings van identiteit en waardesisteme wat onder die benaming van regte en verkeerde seksuele oriëntasies en identiteite lê. Deur ʼn omvattende interpretatiewe paradigma te ontwikkel, probeer hierdie studie om die gaping te vul wat in die wetenskap bestaan ten opsigte van die verhouding tussen Frankofoon literêre produksie uit die Magreb en homoseksualiteit. Die benadering bestaan uit drie opeenvolgende dele. Die studie begin met ʼn verklarende fase wat queer seksualiteit, asook queer literêre studies in die Magreb en Frankryk kontekstualiseer. ʼn Ontmoetingsfase volg waarin ʼn hermeneutiese lees van die gekose romans van die vier skrywers aangebied word, wat spesifiek op die definisie, karakterisering en algemene tonaliteit van die literêre werke fokus. Die finale fase, die interpretatiewe/teoretiseringsfase, sluit ʼn parallelle herlees van primêre en sekondêre tekste in om sodoende ʼn oorspronklike waardering van die romans te konstrueer en om ook ʼn teoreties onaanvegbare oorweging van die konstruksie van “marginale” seksualiteite in die gekose romans te ontwikkel. Verder volg die argument van die studie ook ʼn drieledige progressie: produksie-teks-ontvangs. Die eerste fase ondersoek die sosiokulturele, politiese en historiese konteks waarbinne die gekose tekste geskep is. Die “teksfase” analiseer die gekose romans om ʼn teoretisering van die konstruksie en representasie van “marginale” seksualiteit in die outofiksionele werke van die vier skrywers te ontwikkel. Die laaste fase gaan verder as die teks self en ondersoek die moontlike impak van hierdie literêre werke op die alledaagse wêreld van Arabiese Moslemgemeenskappe, in Frankryk sowel as die Magreb. / SOMMAIRE: La sexualité « marginale » demeure un sujet indicible et tabou dans les sociétés arabo-musulmanes, au Maghreb comme en France. La présente thèse essaie de mettre en conversation les récits de quatre romanciers d’origine maghrébine qui ont osé rompre l’intolérable silence { propos de l’homosexualité. Les romans de Rachid O., d’Abdellah Taïa, d’Eyet-Chékib Djaziri et d’Ilmann Bel sont synchrones avec l’intérêt croissant pour de divers aspects des sexualités « marginales » au Maghreb (et certes dans d’autres régions arabo-musulmanes). Nous servant des perspectives herméneutiques ainsi que de diverses théories des études de genre et des études queer, nous proposons dans cette étude une déconstruction du personnage de l’homosexuel qui est { la fois contentieux et également le locus de nombreux discours concernant la remise en cause du statu quo et le dévoilement de l’indicible. La construction et la représentation littéraire de la sexualité « marginale » joue certes un rôle central dans la déstabilisation des conceptions simplistes de la politique identitaire tout en mettant en cause les systèmes de valeurs qui sont à la base des désignations des identités et des orientations sexuelles. Élaborant un paradigme interprétatif compréhensif, cette étude s’efforcera de combler la lacune qui existe par rapport { l’analyse de l’intersection entre la production littéraire au Maghreb francophone et la sexualité « marginale ». Nous adoptons dans cette étude une approche tri-séquentielle et l’étape initiale, nommée la phase explicative, met en contexte la sexualité queer ainsi que les études littéraires traitant de ce sujet sur les deux rives de la Méditerranée. Cette phase préliminaire est suivie d’une phase de rencontre qui proposera une lecture herméneutique des romans, portant sur la définition, la caractérisation et la tonalité de ces oeuvres littéraires. Il s’agit dans l’étape ultime, la phase interprétative/de théorisation, d’une lecture parallèle des oeuvres primaires et secondaires afin d’établir une appréciation des romans de nos auteurs ainsi que de développer une considération valable sur le plan de la théorie de la construction et représentation de la sexualité « marginale » dans les romans choisis. En plus de l’approche ci-dessus expliquée, l’écoulement argumentatif de cette étude suit également une triple séquence : production-texte-réception. La phase de « production » examine le contexte socioculturel, politique et historique où se créent les textes littéraires sous considération. La phase de « texte » concentre sur l’analyse des oeuvres romanesques afin d’élaborer une problématisation de la sexualité « marginale ». La phase de « réception » dépasse les textes et analyse l’effet de ces textes sur le monde du quotidien des milieux arabo-musulmans, en France comme au Maghreb.

Muslim family members constitute a significant migration flow to the UK (Kofman et al., 2013). Despite such observations, this form of mobility is under-explored in geographic scholarship on migration. Accordingly, this thesis examines the subjective experiences of migration of a small group of Muslim women, who migrated either with or to join their families in Scotland. Participant observation, focus groups and the life narratives of eight women are used to gain an in-depth understanding of both the reasons for and the consequences of migration for this group of Muslim women. In addition, this thesis examines the role of a secular community-based organisation in supporting migrants in their everyday lives. Drawing on conceptual approaches to migration, this study reveals diverse and complex motivations among participants in “choosing” to migrate. Far from “victims” or “trailing wives”, participants privileged their children's needs but also the possibility to transform their sense of self through migration. The study draws attention to the struggles of daily life in Scotland where, bereft of extended family, the synchronisation of migration with childbirth resulted in some participants enduring years of isolation. Such struggles resulted in changes in the home, with husbands providing both physical and emotional support. The experience of migration affected the women's religious identities, providing solace as well as a way to assert belonging in Scotland by drawing on Islamic theology. The community-based organisation provided a “safe space”, bridging the secular and non-secular and offering women the chance to socialise, learn and volunteer. The study shows that volunteering provided not only a way into paid work but also shaped women's subjectivities and home lives. However, the re-direction of national government funding towards “Muslim problems” threatens to undermine the organisation's ability to continue to meet the local needs of Muslim migrant women.

This research assessed the effect of religious orientation on experiences of Iranian women in balancing their work and family roles. Based on the proposed relationships among main variables of this study which are religiosity, gender-role ideology, work-family conflict and work-family facilitation, it was also hypothesized that gender-role ideology would mediate the relationships between religiosity and work-family conflict/facilitation. The participants of this study were 221 Iranian female employees working in the Wood and Glue Industry. The results supported some of the developed hypotheses. For instance, they showed that women with stronger religious beliefs felt the extra time spent on work responsibilities would have been better devoted to family roles. Further, the women who indicated that the role of religion is highly significant in their lives experienced less conflict between the behaviors performed at home and those performed at work. The results did not support the hypothesized mediating role of gender-role ideology. / viii, 89 leaves ; 29 cm

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / South Africa has the largest percentage of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. However, the response against the further spread of HIV/AIDS in the country is being hindered by stigma and discrimination. In order to develop effective intervention programmes to control and reduce the further spread of the disease, it is first important to understand the nature of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and especially how people construct it. In the present study, the social construction of HIV/AIDS-related stigma among Muslims was investigated because high levels of stigma were found in this group. This was fuelled partly by the belief that HIV/AIDS was not a serious problem amongst Muslims. Two focus groups were conducted, one among Muslim women only and the second among Muslim men only. The main aim of the study was to examine the perceptions of HIV/AIDS-related stigma among Muslims. The transcripts were analyzed using thematic content analysis to determine the themes that emerged from the research material. The main findings of the study included that Muslims’ religious identity/positioning was the most salient discourse that informed how they understood, made meaning of, and responded to HIV/AIDS. They engaged in various forms of stigma such as ‘othering’, and mediating factors of stigma included religious positioning. Stigma also served as a social barrier to VCT and disclosure of HIV status. However, supportive attitudes and behaviours were also evident. The findings yielded useful insights into possible elements of intervention programmes, both to reduce HIV/AIDS-related stigma, and also to encourage behavioural change in order to control and reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in this community. / South Africa

Doctorat en sciences sociales, politiques et économiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

The use of violence in the Israel/Palestine conflict has been justified and legitimised by an appeal to religion. Militant Islamist organisations like Ramas have become central players in the Palestinian political landscape as a result of the popular support that they enjoy. This thesis aims to investigate the reasons for this support by analysing the Israel/Palestine conflict in terms of Ruman Needs Theory. According to this Theory, humans have essential needs that need to be fulfilled in order to ensure survival and development. Among these needs, the need for identity and recognition of identity is of vital importance. This thesis thus explores the concept of identity as a need, and investigates this need as it relates to inter-group conflict. In situating this theory in the Israel/Palestine conflict, the study exammes how organisations like Ramas have Islamised Palestinian national identity in order to garner political support. The central contention, then, is that the primary identity group of the Palestinian population is no longer nationalist, but Islamic/nationalist. In Islamising the conflict with Israel as well as Palestinian identity, Ramas has been able to justify its often indiscriminate use of violence by appealing to religion. The conflict is thus perceived to be one between two absolutes - that of Islam versus Judaism. In considering the conflict as one of identities struggling for survival in a climate of perceived threat, any attempt at resolution of the conflict needs to include a focus on needs-based issues. The problem-solving approach to negotiation allows for parties to consider issues of identity, recognition and security needs, and thus ensures that the root causes of conflicts are addressed, The contention is that this approach is vital to any conflict resolution strategy where identity needs are at stake, and it provides the grounding for the success of more traditional zero-sum bargaining methods. A recognition of Islamic identity in negotiation processes in Israel/Palestine may thus make for a more comprehensive conflict resolution strategy, and make the outcomes of negotiations more acceptable to the people of Palestine, thus undermining the acceptance of violence that exists at present.

Health communication has gained worldwide recognition as one of the most effective methods for tackling global health challenges; a conclusion that is supported by a range of studies showing generally positive results. Literature in the field has tended to focus on one of two perspectives: either individual behaviour change or a cultural/critical approach. This dissertation, which falls into the latter category, extends previous work on health communication and culture into a new context, namely Saudi Arabia. The thesis is motivated by two main research questions. First, how has culture influenced health communication in Saudi Arabia specifically in initiatives against illicit drug use and alcohol abuse? Second, how has this communication developed? At the heart of this study is the role of Saudi culture in health communication in an increasingly interdependent and connected world. The dissertation makes use of mixed qualitative data collection methods. Principally, it utilised semi-structured interviews with key officials and focus groups with young Saudis and health promoters in Saudi Arabia as well as attendance at and observation of health-communication events and permanent exhibitions as a subordinate method. The study reveals promising findings supporting the growing scholarly interest in the cultural dimension of health communication. It concludes that the key influence of the Saudi culture on health communication against substance abuse is Islamic beliefs about health, in particular those about substance abuse. These beliefs created a rejection of illicit drug abuse in Saudi society, thereby shaping a supportive environment for promotion activities against risky health behaviour. In addition, Islamic influence inspired the related regulations and laws in the kingdom. Islamic and local influences exert a powerful influence on the practical side of health communication in Saudi Arabia, including the content of messages, the appeal used to attract the specific audience, and the communication channels used to promote the campaigns. The study engages with four concepts constituting the Islamic model of health and illicit drug abuse: prohibition (haram), promotion (Da’wah), repentance and inclusiveness (Tawbah), and treatment and rehabilitation (Elaj). The study also examines controversial issues about health communication in the country, such as the predominance of top-down communication, the absence of participatory communication and cultural diversity. In short, a lack of innovation and creativity in delivering health communication messages. The study illustrates the major role the Saudi government has played in communicating health and substance abuse since the 1980s, when officials realised the need to modernise the means of communicating health and drug issues from mosque-based only to include modern methods such as televised campaigns, school-based programmes and hospital-based health education. Since then, government-led health communication initiatives have been well established in the kingdom. The dissertation is able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the reality of health communication against substance abuse in Saudi Arabia and make a range of recommendations to improve the efficacy of current policies and suggest new avenues for future research.