The Imperfectly Perfect Rib

Women have played significant roles in Maldivian society since ancient times including serving as rulers even after the country’s conversion to Islam. However, societal shifts towards more conservative Islamic norms have led to the restructure and dismantling of the definition of Maldivian women from the early times. This has led to a particularly strong social stigma affecting not only women but also their daughters and their future generations. However, as an individual coming from a Maldivian background, born and bred as a Muslim woman myself, the terrains being a Muslim woman in the Maldives are explored from a diverse landscape of historical narratives and contemporary contexts which critically examine the paradoxical experiences of Maldivian Muslim Women (MMW) within Maldivian society. Knowing that this journey is one that is beyond merely categorizing and classifying identities into boxes, this study delves into the multifaceted identities of these women challenging prevailing stereotypes and exploring the nuanced intersections of religion, gender, and culture. Through a constructivist paradigm, this study aims to show these evolving identities are played out amidst shifting cultural norms and religious practices against a backdrop of global Islamophobia and entrenched biases.