1 The Stable Muslim Love Triangle – Triangular Desire in African American Muslim Romance Fiction By Layla Abdullah-Poulos Published online: November 2018 http://www.jprstudies.org Abstract: A tenacious American Muslim phenotype permeates the society reducing myriad races and ethnicities in the sub-culture to either Middle Eastern or South Asian. Frequently ignored is the extensive African American Muslim heritage stemming from enslavement. African American Muslims subvert notions about American Muslim experiences and present a social group with entrenched ownership in the country as well as nascent application of the Islamic faith. Analyzing literary works of African American Muslim authors reveals a distinctive cultural identity at intersections of race, faith and national identity—its members developing unique perspectives in the multifaceted American Muslim Culture. African American Muslim romance novels reflect amorous notions held by members of the subgroup. Examining texts reveals a triangular desire trope—the Stable Muslim Love Triangle— involving protagonists and the deity, Allah, at the apex as mediator of desire, driving the viability of love in plots. About the Author: Layla Abdullah-Poulos is the first recipient of the Conseula Francis Award. She has a B.A. in History and Literature, an M.A. in Liberal Studies, and an A.C. in Women and Gender Studies. Layla is an adjunct history instructor at SUNY Empire State College, managing editor for the NbA Muslims blog on the Patheos Muslim Channel, and the cultural contributor for Radio Islam. Keywords: African American literature, African American Muslim culture, African American Muslim literature, American Muslim culture, American Muslim fiction, black love, inspirational romance, love triangle, Muslim fiction, Muslim literature, Muslim romance, romance novels, triangular desire Romance fiction explores culturally-specific notions of intimacy. Because it portrays a group’s conventions about love and amorousness, it can provide outsiders glimpses of norms and practices. Authors can describe and critique features of a given social context — such as racism or religious prejudice—in ways that inform outsiders and, at the same time,