NEGOTIATING MUSLIM IDENTITY AMIDST DIASPORIC DISPLACEMENT:A POST-COLONIAL CRITIQUE OF KHALED HOSSEINI’S THE KITE RUNNER

Abstract

This research paper examines the complexities of Muslim identity formation within the context of diasporic displacement, with a particular focus on Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. Focusing on the complex experiences of displacement, cultural dislocation, and identity negotiation, the research paper examines how Muslim characters struggle to reconcile their religious and cultural heritage with the values and expectations of Western society. Drawing on the theoretical framework of Bhabha, the research paper reveals how the diasporic condition intensifies internal conflicts related to faith, belonging, and selfhood. The novel is situated within a broader discourse on post-9/11 representations of Muslim identity, highlighting the ways in which migration and exile exacerbate psychological and cultural fragmentation. By employing a qualitative and interpretive approach, this paper demonstrates that The Kite Runner not only portrays the individual trauma of its characters but also reflects a collective identity crisis rooted in the diasporic Muslim experience. The research paper contributes to the growing body of scholarship on diaspora, Muslim representation, and postcolonial literature, emphasizing the need for nuanced understandings of identity in a globalized world.