The Use of Language in Constructing Religious Identity Found in Abu Dhabi Romance Webtoon

Purpose: This study examines the role of language in constructing religious identity in Abu Dhabi Romance Webtoon. It explores how Arab characters express and negotiate their identity as Muslims through linguistic choices and everyday interactions within different social and cultural environments. Method: This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach. The data were obtained from dialogues and narrative contexts presented in Abu Dhabi Romance Webtoon. The analysis was conducted using Thornborrow’s theory of linguistic identity within the framework of sociolinguistics to investigate the relationship between language use and religious identity construction. Findings: The findings demonstrate that religious identity is constructed through both personal and collective dimensions. At the personal level, identity is reflected in the use of Islamic names and traditional naming practices, particularly the patronymic system (nasab). At the collective level, Muslim identity is represented through the association between Arab ethnicity and Islam, the distinction between ingroups and outgroups through code-switching, and several social practices rooted in religious values. These practices include the preference for halal food, the restriction of interfaith marriage, and the maintenance of boundaries between men and women. Furthermore, code-switching serves as a strategy for preserving linguistic and religious identity in cross-cultural encounters. Significance: This study enriches sociolinguistic discussions on the relationship between language and religious identity in digital media. It also provides a deeper understanding of how popular narratives represent Muslim communities and negotiate cultural differences in contemporary society