Ṣawābiyyah and Wūkiyyah: Tracking Political Correctness and Wokeism in Arabic Language and Muslim-Majority Arab Contexts

Abstract

This chapter investigates political correctness (PC) and wokeism (W) in Arab contexts, particularly among marginalized groups such as Black Arabs, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. Through a linguistic comparative analysis, it identifies Arabic analogues of these concepts, including al-ʿayb (shame) and religiously grounded commitments to justice. The study examines discourse in journals, social media, TV, music, and campaigns, showing attention to discrimination and racial stereotyping, while noting that direct adoption of Western PC and W frameworks is often counterproductive. It also traces the semantic evolution of “woke” from social awareness to a pejorative label, situating the discussion within broader debates on human rights and social justice in the Arab world.