Disinformation and Misinterpretation: Deconstructing the Politics of Denialism on Social Media in Pakistan through Islamic Feminism

Social media disinformation and misinterpretation of Islamic teachings about women’s rights in Pakistan undermine Muslim women’s endeavor to achieve gender equality. We argue that religio-patriarchal posts and memes circulating on social media misinterpret Islamic teachings regarding women’s gender rights, deny feminism, perpetuate patriarchy, and undermine feminist activism in the conservative Islamic ideological nation-state. Drawing upon Islamic feminist hermeneutics, this article deconstructs conveniently selected popular memes and social media posts that promote Islam’s patriarchal (mis)reading, with reference to Pakistan as a case. It treats disinformation and misinterpretation as forms of denialism (a form of epistemic violence) that result from anti-feminist imaginaries. We argue that anti-feminist ideological maneuvering embedded in memes and images is a deliberate endeavor to exert influence to maintain patriarchy, deny feminism, and shape the mindset of the viewers in Pakistan. This article contributes to understanding denialist strategies to counteract the politics of feminist denialism in the country.