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This paper examines the postcolonial concept of “writing back to the self” in relation to two novels authored by two female Arab novelists, namely Leila Aboulela’s  Minaret  (2005) and Fadia Faqir’s  My Name is Salma (2008). After defining the concept of “writing back to the self” and drawing from the works of postcolonial writers such as Fanon, Said, Ashcroft, Hassan and Ghazoul, the paper argues that both authors emphasize “writing back to the self” in the sense of criticizing their communities, social system, and patriarchal traditions alike without ignoring to criticize the colonizer. Their works resist patriarchal system and male dominance. Faqir uses the following strategies of writing back to the self: (1) the use of the single female narrator; (3) the non-linear narration; (4) pregnancy; (5) women transforming into strong characters, enriching themselves, and relating to each other as source of solace and strength to each other. Yet Faqir’s condemnation to Arab patriarchy is harsher. Aboulela is, however, able to find a solution to her own tragedy through a spiritual journey to Islam in which she finds safety and security. Although Faqir does not attack Islam per se as an oppressor, she does not defend it as a solution. The paper is a call for moving away from the endless and futile circle of 'writing' and 'writing back' in order to gaze into our own limitations toward improvement.

Writing Back to the Self: Leila Aboulela’s Minaret and Fadia Faqir’s My Name Is Salma