Sex and the Citadel Book Summary - Sex and the Citadel Book explained in key points
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Sex and the Citadel summary

Shereen El Feki

Intimate Life in a Changing Arab World

3.9 (45 ratings)
16 mins

Brief summary

Sex and the Citadel by Shereen El Feki is a captivating exploration of sexuality in the changing Arab world. The book uncovers diverse views on sex, love, and gender, and the complex social and political factors that shape them.

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    Sex and the Citadel
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    The Muslim world was a place of sexual freedom before colonization led to sexual repression.

    Today, much of the Muslim world – including countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia – is known for its sexually restrictive laws. We certainly don’t think of these countries as places one would go for some liberating sexual adventures.

    Yet, this is the exact kind of behavior that went on centuries ago.

    The Muslim world was once a place where sexual freedom was celebrated. Indeed, in 1849, French author Gustave Flaubert traveled throughout Egypt to indulge in the sexual pleasures on offer.

    Flaubert traveled along the Nile and went from brothel to brothel, where he enjoyed music and dancing as well as the many women offering their services.

    And it wasn’t just women: Flaubert was surprised to discover that homosexuality was completely accepted in Egypt at the time and male prostitutes were also on display, freely dancing into the night.

    This sexual liberation would soon come to an end, however, as the effects of colonization led to Muslim cultures changing their ways and repressing sexuality. The kind of freedom that Flaubert experienced in the Muslim world was the end of a cultural peak that began in the fourteenth century.

    This ending came during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, as the Western world became more dominant and started colonizing parts of the Muslim world.

    After losing some decisive battles, Muslims started suffering from what the Egyptians refer to as uqdit al-khawaga, which roughly translates to “foreigner complex.” This sense of inferiority can be traced back to 1798, when Napoleon’s army crushed the Egyptian forces, and it reached its peak in 1882, with the British occupation of Egypt.

    This led to a cultural movement in the Muslim world that blamed these losses on their society’s loose sexual morals and homosexuality.

    A prime example of this movement is the founding of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, in 1920. The Brotherhood viewed a return to the repressive sharia law as the only way for Islam to regain its former greatness.

    These restrictive morals continue to dominate Muslim culture today.

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    What is Sex and the Citadel about?

    Sex and the Citadel (2013) offers a revealing look at the sex lives of people in Muslim countries, especially Egypt, which, about 200 years ago, was a hotbed of sensual and sexual activity, but has since become a conservative and sexually repressed society. These blinks take you through the taboos, censorship and gender discrimination that many Muslims continue to resist.

    Sex and the Citadel Review

    Sex and the Citadel (2013) is an eye-opening exploration of sexual attitudes and practices in the Arab world. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • It provides in-depth research and interviews with a diverse range of individuals, uncovering the complex and often misunderstood sexual landscape of the region.
    • Through personal stories and experiences, the book sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals in navigating societal expectations and cultural norms.
    • Delving into the intersection of sexuality and politics, the book offers a nuanced understanding of the forces shaping sexual attitudes in the Arab world, making it thought-provoking and enlightening.

    Best quote from Sex and the Citadel

    Sharia is a text that can be interpreted in the sense of sexual liberty or in the sense or repression. - Abdessamad Dialmy, Moroccan sociologist

    —Shereen El Feki
    example alt text

    Who should read Sex and the Citadel?

    • Non-Muslims hoping to learn more about the diversity of Muslim society
    • Muslims interested in their culture’s sexuality
    • Feminists who want a better understanding of the struggles Muslim women face

    About the Author

    Shereen El Feki is an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in the Economist and the Huffington Post. She works out of Cairo and London, and Sex and the Citadel is her first book.

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    Sex and the Citadel FAQs 

    What is the main message of Sex and the Citadel?

    The main message of Sex and the Citadel is the exploration of sexual attitudes and experiences in the Arab world.

    How long does it take to read Sex and the Citadel?

    The reading time for Sex and the Citadel varies, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Sex and the Citadel a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Sex and the Citadel is a thought-provoking read that sheds light on a taboo topic. It offers valuable insights into the complexities of sexuality in the Arab world.

    Who is the author of Sex and the Citadel?

    The author of Sex and the Citadel is Shereen El Feki.

    What to read after Sex and the Citadel?

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