Negotiating Womanhood and Being a Good Muslim: Authentication Processes among Pakistani Migrant Women in Norway

Abstract This study explores identity negotiation processes among Pakistani Muslim migrant women in Norway, focusing on how they reinterpret pre-migration ideals of womanhood through the concept of authentication, as introduced by Lara Deeb. Building on and expanding Deeb’s work, the research examines the interplay of religious, ethnic, gender and migrant identities using an intersectional approach through semi-structured interviews with nine women. The findings highlight dynamic processes of authentication, where socio-economic backgrounds, education and personal reflections shape re-learning and re-evaluation. The study underscores the agency involved in negotiating religious and gendered identities, demonstrating that migration introduces new dimensions to the authentication process. By extending Deeb’s concept to the specific context of Pakistani notions of gender, nation and religion, this research contributes to the broader literature on Muslim women in Europe, offering specific examples from Norway and emphasising the complex interplay between national identity, cultural norms and religious values in a migratory context.