Exploring Communicative Identity Transformation among Muslim Diasporas in Secular Western Societies: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Intercultural communication has become a central concern in understanding how individuals construct meaning, negotiate identity, and establish belonging in increasingly plural societies. Within this broader context, the experiences of Muslim diasporas in secular Western environments highlight a unique intersection between faith, culture, and self-expression that demands deeper interpretative inquiry. Although existing research has extensively explored intercultural adaptation and acculturation processes, little is known about the lived meanings of communicative identity transformation among faith-based minorities. This study therefore asks: How do Muslim diasporas experience and interpret their communicative identities in secular cultural contexts? Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach, this study explores how communication becomes an existential process of meaning-making that connects spiritual conviction with sociocultural belonging. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with twelve Muslim diaspora participants residing in Western countries. The analysis identifies four core findings: individuals negotiate identity between faith and secularity, navigate ongoing feelings of cultural displacement, use language both as connection and subtle resistance, and rely on faith as a stabilizing anchor in identity reconstruction. These findings provide a concise picture of how communicative identity transformation unfolds as a dialogical, reflective, and emotionally charged process. The results contribute to the field of intercultural communication by reframing identity transformation as a lived and reflective phenomenon rather than a behavioral adaptation. These insights deepen our understanding of communicative meaning and provide a conceptual foundation for future phenomenological studies on dialogue, belonging, and identity across cultural and spiritual boundaries.