Revisiting the Spirals of Silence: The Case of Intra-Faith Discrimination at Work in Two Muslim Majority Countries

Abstract

Drawing on the spiral of silence theory, this manuscript critically explores a notably under-researched domain: the workplace experiences of individuals belonging to faith-based minority groups who encounter religious discrimination in predominantly Muslim countries, specifically Türkiye and Pakistan. First, we outline the spirals of silence theory and examine intra-faith discrimination as an illustrative case. We locate the identity and agency of individuals from religious minorities at work, reflecting on an escalation of silence in the context of adversity, as suggested by the spirals of silence theory. Building on 38 interviews with individuals from faith-based minority groups in workplaces within Turkey and Pakistan, our analysis reveals intra-faith religious discrimination in two distinct contexts: one, a country grappling with significant pressure on its secular system, and the other, a nation where the implementation of Islamic egalitarian principles, as enshrined in its constitution, is inconsistent. The study reveals that religiously inspired discrimination is a prevalent and pernicious experience among individuals from faith-based minority groups in both countries, which consequently entrenches the spirals of silence.