Pride & Prejudice on the Relationship of True Faith, Muslim Attire & Social Advantages

Abstract

This master thesis aims to analyse the relationship between Islam and Muslim attire in the context of gaining social advantages. Thus, the study examines the motives and drivers behind women’s choice to wear hijab. The research consists of in-depth analysis semi-standardised expert interview, participant observation and focus groups based on purposive sampling divided by age factor with twelve respondents who anonymously shared their personal experience on embracing Islamic teachings and practices that include transforming conventional dressing style to Muslim attire, particularly hijab. The discourse collected during focus groups and participant observation was analysed utilising a theory development approach that contains a constructed set of concepts. The developed theory was identified by meticulously scrutinising existing literature on relevant topics. Thus, the set of concepts on three components such as a sense of belonging and identity, a sense of security and a sense of welfare based on the work of P. Bourdieu, A. Giddens, T. Risse, T. Börzel and J. Migdal, etc. was introduced. The empirical study revealed the following diverse results: the concepts of security and belonging were completely reflected and aligned with the theory set, whereas the sense of welfare was partially approved by the participants, while in some cases the interlocutors raised unexpected and even surprising factors such fear of death.