A Critical Discourse Analysis of the Islamic Concept of Gender Differences in the Daily Telegraph

Abstract

This study explores how to comprehend the portrayal of the Islamic concept of gender differences in the British newspaper Daily Telegraph by using the critical discourse analysis approach. The text analysis process was conducted using the three-dimensional Fairclough model, which has three stages: description, interpretation, and explanation. Critical discourse analysis examines the dialectical relationship between text, discourse, and society. The   Quran and the Telegraph context show an Islamic concept between the two genders; however, there is no agreement on translating these differences between the two concepts. The Islamic concept makes it clear that these differences do not mean that this is an honour and glorification of one gender at the expense of another, nor is there any equality between them. Still, it is a handsome obligation and the biology between them. These differences mean there is justice, so let there be balance between them. While the Telegraph portrays the Muslim woman as weak and voiceless, she is a victim and a fuel for her religion, even threatening the way of life in Western culture. This perspective reflects the negative stereotypes in the Telegraph, the conservative, secular, and liberal ideology, and the patriarchal authority in Islamic society reveals that the man is always the tyrant, the master, and there is no opportunity for gender equality. The analysis highlights how media discourse shapes public perception of Islamic gender rules, often framing through an orientalist and biased lens. The study concludes that such representations contribute to a distorted understanding of gender dynamics in Islam, overlooking the diversity of perspectives within Islamic thought. By critically examining these narratives, this research emphasizes the need for a more balanced and nuanced portrayal in media discourse.