Religious Dilemma and Identity Crisis in Susan Abulhawa's Mornings in Jenin

Abstract

Arab American literature is a comprehensive subject in which researchers examine and analyze several topics that are considered controversial in the Arab world, highlighting the numerous conflicts it has experienced and continues to face. Palestinians are considered one of the most common victims of Zionist occupation-related violence, assassinations, child snatching, and home demolitions. Many Arab American novelists, such as Susan Abulhawa, emphasized that religion is a fundamental element in the development and preservation of one's identity in a certain community. Mornings in Jenin (2010) is a literary work that explores the repercussions of social, ethnic, and war crimes in contemporary literature. It is the best example of portraying the impact of Israeli attacks on Palestinians over many years, affecting their psychology and religious identities.   Religion often plays a significant role in shaping personal identity, social connections, cultural norms, and moral values. This paper aims to explore the religious identity crisis of Abulhuja's family and how religion significantly influences the formation and reformation of their religious identity, focusing on Amal's and Ismael's loss of religious identity in particular. Therefore, the study explores the novel's portrayal of identity status and the factors contributing to religious identity loss.