Sex and the Citadel is a non-fiction book written by Shereen El Feki, an Australian journalist and writer. The book explores the complex and often taboo subject of sex in the Arab world. The author spent five years traveling through 21 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, interviewing people from all walks of life about their experiences and attitudes towards sex. The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different aspect of sex in the region: desire, danger, and power.
Part 1: Desire
In the first part of the book, El Feki explores the different forms of desire that exist in the Arab world. She talks about the role of religion in shaping attitudes towards sex, and how conservative interpretations of Islam have led to the repression of sexuality. Despite this, the author found that people in the region are still deeply connected to their sexuality, and that desire is a powerful force that cannot be suppressed.
Part 2: Danger
The second part of the book focuses on the dangers that people face when expressing their sexuality in the Arab world. El Feki talks about the risks of engaging in extramarital sex, which is punishable by law in many countries. She also discusses the dangers faced by LGBTQ people, who often face violence and persecution simply for being who they are. The author also explores the dangers of sex work, which is highly stigmatized in the region.
Part 3: Power
In the final part of the book, El Feki examines the ways in which sex is used as a tool of power in the Arab world. She talks about the role of sex in politics, and how leaders have used it to gain and maintain control over their people. The author also explores the ways in which sex is used to reinforce gender roles and social hierarchies, and how this can lead to the oppression of women and other marginalized groups.
Conclusion
Sex and the Citadel is an important and thought-provoking book that challenges readers to think about sex and sexuality in new ways. Through her extensive research and interviews, El Feki provides a nuanced and complex portrait of sex in the Arab world, one that is both deeply personal and politically charged. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of sex and sexuality in the Middle East and North Africa, and it is sure to provoke discussion and debate among readers.
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