From Salma to Sally, Karamat to Wolf: An Ethnocidal Exposition of Globalization in Shamsie’s Home Fire and Faqir’s My Name Is Salma

Abstract

While globalization made it accessible for the indigenous people to visit developed countries, it has also begun dissolving the underprivileged cultures into the dominating global culture. Certain established cultures in the globalized world cause the emulation of less established cultures. Therefore, this study examines the ethnocidal aspect of globalization in the Muslim society with reference to Shamsie’s Home Fire and Faqir’s My Name is Salma. Drawing upon Pierre Clastres & Robert Jaulin’s understanding of ethnocide that primarily focuses on the intentional erasure of culture and David E. O’Connor’s concept of Cultural Homogenization, it has been argued that the arrival of global culture in Muslim society is basically a threat to Muslim civilization in the broader context. Therefore, this study aims to discuss the religious, ethnic, and cultural effects of globalization on Muslims in Britain, resulting in the ‘Westernization’ of their Muslim identities. Furthermore, this article also explores the ways in which social values of the Muslim diaspora are deteriorating under the influence of global culture. As a result, an image of "Liberal Muslim" emerges that is plagued with the system of servitude and acceptability of social and political agendas inflicted by the West. My study analyzes the loss of individualism and Muslim identity where cultural globalization encourages a ‘Western Ideal’.

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