“You Are My Brother, You Are My Sister… You Should Know Better…”: Racialised Experiences of Afro-Dutch Muslim Women: Navigating Intra-Muslim Anti-Blackness

This study investigates the experiences of Afro-Dutch Muslim women facing anti-Black racism within Dutch Muslim communities, illuminating the complexities of their identities as they navigate the intersections of race, religion, and belonging. Utilising in-depth narrative interviews with nine participants, alongside an online qualitative survey (n = 45), the research captures how the participants encounter exclusion, inferiorisation, and stereotyping, often feeling marginalised in spaces expected to foster inclusivity. Through the lens of intersectionality, the findings reveal a sense of conditional acceptance based on religious identity that erases part of their racialised experiences, leading to feelings of alienation within certainMuslim communities. The study explores the concept of religious innocence, an attitude adopted by some (Muslim) religious adherents who perceive themselves as immune to racism by virtue of adhering to religious (Islamic) doctrine, which they view as inherently anti-racist, thereby perpetuating injustices within their own practices. By contextualising these experiences within the framework of the Ummah, the study highlights the disconnection between Islamic ideals of unity and the realities of intra-Muslim racism. The implications underscore the need for greater inclusivity and equity within religious practices, challenging the existing racial hierarchies. Ultimately, the research aims to amplify the voices of marginalised Afro-Dutch Muslim women, contributing to an enhanced understanding of their unique challenges and resilience in the face of systemic discrimination.