Cultural Displacement and Arab American Identity: Analysing Once in a Promised Land in the Post-9/11 Era

Abstract

Laila Halaby’s novel Once in a Promised Land examines the intricacies of Arab American identity in the aftermath of the events of 9/11. Focusing on Jassim and Salwa Haddad, a Jordanian couple in Arizona, the novel critiques systemic biases, stereotypes, and cultural alienation Arab Americans face during this fraught period. Using critical frameworks from Edward Said, Nadine Naber, and Evelyn Alsultany, this analysis explores themes of cultural displacement, identity, and the disintegration of the American Dream. Halaby highlights the emotional toll of societal prejudice, showing how institutional scrutiny and xenophobia undermine the characters’ personal and professional lives. Jassim and Salwa’s unravelling reveals the fragile nature of belonging and the limitations of material success in countering cultural estrangement. The novel critiques the binaries of “us” versus “them,” exposing how post-9/11 rhetoric perpetuates marginalization. Halaby’s work calls for confronting systemic prejudice and reimagining inclusion in a polarized America. By intertwining personal narratives with broader socio-political contexts, Once in a Promised Land offers a compelling critique of the forces that marginalize Arab Americans and a poignant exploration of identity and resilience in a post-9/11 world. This study situates Halaby’s narrative within post-9/11 literature, emphasizing its relevance in understanding cultural alienation and systemic inequality.