Having interviewed five Taqwacore’s between the ages of 23 and 18 one of who was male, two female and two identified as gender non-conforming Muslim youth. This analysis is a small sample of the current thoughts, opinions and interactions of Muslims within the Taqwacore scene. Patterns began to emerge over the course of the interviews, those of which will be analysed through evidence given and stories told by the Interviewees. Some of the main themes and patterns found that will be examined through these stories are; LGBT Muslim youth, a sense of community and belonging, embodying identity’s.
The first of the interviewee Taqwacore’s interviewed had been quick to identify feelings of being lost and alone, on the verge of abandoning their beliefs …show more content…
The second interviewee responded saying that the Taqwacore scene provided a ‘sense of community’ they hadn’t experience when at punk performances that where more catered to the white culture. The third and fourth interviewees had both stated being drawn to heavy metal before finding Taqwacore, both expressing a sense of connection and acceptance to the Taqwacore community that was lacking for them when a part of the heavy metal scene. The first respondent stated “Taqwcore has become more than just music for me now, it’s a way of being, of thinking and it’s the people I’ve met that made me want to stay. I just belong here I guess.” The fifth interviewee words also echoed this familial sense that other interviewees articulated, “It’s like home now. I mean I have a house with my mum and stuff but I feel more at home with them then her.” When asked why there they may have formed such strong bonds among other Taqwacore’s but not with the others music scenes they may have been involved with all answered stating some variation of the bond stemming from their underlying faith as Muslim and their connection to a dissatisfaction with the world around …show more content…
“The day I debuted it, I really felt a part of the cosplay community and welcomed in the convention world. Having people come up to me and address me as Maleficent all day, the children that ran up for pictures, it was wonderful and I knew I wanted to keep up cosplaying.” Interestingly the second, third and fourth respondent mentioned feeling connected to both an online community as well as a physical group of friends she went to conventions with. “When I think about it online is where I first heard of Muslims who Cosplay and online is where I first talked to them. I know many more Muslim cosplayers online then I do in real life but I don’t feel any less a part of the convention community or any more a part of the online community.” It also seemed that the DIY culture embedded in cosplay affected the community that was founded there. Interviewee three told the researcher how she had become close friends with another Hijabi cosplayer because she needed help with a particular costume she was making. She visited YouTube looking for inspiration and soon found herself asking for help in the comments sections of videos. The two kept up their communications on a regular basis, helping out and offering advice if the other got stuck. Without the online presence of cosplay and without the present DIY culture she may very well have not formed a friendship with that person.
The first of the interviewee Taqwacore’s interviewed had been quick to identify feelings of being lost and alone, on the verge of abandoning their beliefs …show more content…
The second interviewee responded saying that the Taqwacore scene provided a ‘sense of community’ they hadn’t experience when at punk performances that where more catered to the white culture. The third and fourth interviewees had both stated being drawn to heavy metal before finding Taqwacore, both expressing a sense of connection and acceptance to the Taqwacore community that was lacking for them when a part of the heavy metal scene. The first respondent stated “Taqwcore has become more than just music for me now, it’s a way of being, of thinking and it’s the people I’ve met that made me want to stay. I just belong here I guess.” The fifth interviewee words also echoed this familial sense that other interviewees articulated, “It’s like home now. I mean I have a house with my mum and stuff but I feel more at home with them then her.” When asked why there they may have formed such strong bonds among other Taqwacore’s but not with the others music scenes they may have been involved with all answered stating some variation of the bond stemming from their underlying faith as Muslim and their connection to a dissatisfaction with the world around …show more content…
“The day I debuted it, I really felt a part of the cosplay community and welcomed in the convention world. Having people come up to me and address me as Maleficent all day, the children that ran up for pictures, it was wonderful and I knew I wanted to keep up cosplaying.” Interestingly the second, third and fourth respondent mentioned feeling connected to both an online community as well as a physical group of friends she went to conventions with. “When I think about it online is where I first heard of Muslims who Cosplay and online is where I first talked to them. I know many more Muslim cosplayers online then I do in real life but I don’t feel any less a part of the convention community or any more a part of the online community.” It also seemed that the DIY culture embedded in cosplay affected the community that was founded there. Interviewee three told the researcher how she had become close friends with another Hijabi cosplayer because she needed help with a particular costume she was making. She visited YouTube looking for inspiration and soon found herself asking for help in the comments sections of videos. The two kept up their communications on a regular basis, helping out and offering advice if the other got stuck. Without the online presence of cosplay and without the present DIY culture she may very well have not formed a friendship with that person.