Karen Hunt AhmedForthcoming: Culture & Psychology

FINDING A JEWEL: IDENTITY AND

GENDERED SPACE IN ISLAMIC FINANCE

Globalization, Identity and Islamic FinanceFieldwork and interviews Johara DubaiFindings

FINDING A JEWEL

Constant motion: objects, persons, images, discourses and capital (Appadurai)

Modern process of constructing self-identity is an ongoing and dialogic process (Giddens)

Cultural psychology finds that humans have a strong need for positive self-evaluation (Heine et al.)

Multiple cultural identifications (Shweder et al.; Bell and Das)

Most prevalent way: group identification (Kinnvall) In the past: geographicCurrent research: links culture, identity and space

(Sparkes et al.; Low) Institution as “culture broker” (Mazzarella)

GLOBALIZATION AND IDENTITY

Piety: inner feelings and outward practices (Mahmood; Kuran; Mawdudi)

Islamic moral values with normative capitalist business practices

Identity politics (Henry and Wilson; Mandaville; Smith) Institution: physical and psychological spaceHow do Islamic finance practitioners negotiate

identity formation within the context of modern globalizing processes? Gender identity in stand alone women’s branch

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ISLAMIC FINANCE?

ConventionalOften separate entrancesRarely separate branches Johara = first women’s branch

BANKING IN THE GCC

Field site: Johara (Dubai Islamic Bank)Observations: 6 months Interviews:

Rania: Branch Manager Sadia: Assistant Manager Miss Lutfi: Information Technology Manager

FIELDWORK: DUBAI, UAE

Gender segregation reflects cultural values

Culturally it is like that, whereas Islam never has prohibited women from interacting, within decent limits is required, keeping your values and culture in mind, it has never prevented them from meeting. You learn the roles; it is a part of life. But in here it is the minimum interaction with male counterparts. That’s the culture…

Rania

FINDINGS: RANIA

Gender segregation primary to decision and ability to work outside the home

Miss Lutfi Unmarried Family objects to working alongside men Working increases economic independence

FINDINGS: MISS LUTFI

Morally preferable

You feel more comfortable, it ’s my point of view, in an Islamic place since we are Muslims. In an Islamic place…whatever thing which is going in this bank it is per Shari ’a. And you feel like whatever money you are earning, it is like halal.

Sadia

FINDINGS: SADIA

Renegotiate local identifications and practices through institutional structure

Upholds local values related to genderEconomic independence for femalesUpholds morality in the workplaceSo…Normative global financial practices and local moral gender practices advance both: Islamic finance as a culture broker:

Identity is formed in a gendered space, but experienced in the context of a global financial industry.

CONCLUSIONS

Karen Hunt Ahmedkhuntahm@depaul.edu

Forthcoming: Culture & Psychology 2012

THANK YOU!