Intersectional activism: Dutch-Turkish Muslim women “talking back” to securitization and Islamophobia

Abstract

This article investigates the efforts of influential Turkish Muslim civil society actors to amplify the voices of Muslim women in the Netherlands. Through interviews, the research uncovers the impacts of Islamophobia and securitization policies on the classification of Muslim women as either threats or victims. The study captures participants’ responses challenging intersectional discrimination based on gender, religion, and race, employing the notion of “talking back” as an analytical framework reflecting resistance. This includes criticisms of boundaries, discrimination, a lack of representation, and patriarchal practices. Participants engaged in talking-back practices by critiquing mainstream feminism’s homogenous approach, advocating for Muslim women’s rights through Islamic feminism, distinguishing culture from religion, and participating in local women’s organizations. The findings hold significant implications for integration, citizenship, security, and multiculturalism amidst rising Islamophobia. This research contributes to uncovering the voices of Dutch-Turkish Muslim women pushing back against marginalization at the intersection of racism, sexism, and discrimination.