Challenging Neo-Orientalism: Muslim Identity and the Israel-Palestine Conflict in Teju Cole's Open City

OpenAlex · English

This article explores Teju Cole's Open City (2011) as a profound critique of neo-Orientalist discourses in the post-9/11 era, focusing on Farouq, an Arab-Muslim intellectual in Brussels. Grounded in Edward Said's Orientalism and Hamid Dabashi's neo-Orientalism, the analysis reveals how Farouq resists Western pressures to assimilate or enact commodified versions of his identity, challenging the persistent demand for "oriental fantasy" narratives. The novel situates Farouq's personal struggles within geopolitical tensions, notably the Israel-Palestine conflict, which characters frame as a defining contemporary issue. This perspective counters neo-Orientalist assertions that attribute Middle Eastern instability to inherent cultural flaws, instead critiquing Western imperialism and media distortions. The study contrasts Farouq's revolutionary consciousness with Dr. Maillotte's liberal dismissal of his grievances, exposing subtle neo-Orientalist mechanisms that mask structural inequities under a veneer of openness. Through its dialogic structure and reflective narrator, Julius, Open City fosters authentic intercultural exchange, disrupting monolithic portrayals of Muslim identities. The article argues that Cole's narrative not only contests reductive stereotypes but also positions literature as a vital medium for advocating equitable identity representations in a globalized world. By centering Farouq's intellectual agency and experiences, the study contributes significantly to understanding identity politics and representation in postcolonial literature, underscoring the enduring relevance of Said's critique in contemporary global discourses.