Over half of men and women in the Middle East are sexually unsatisfied, according to a poll reported today by Al Arabiya.net. As with any poll, its methodology, approach, purpose, and source must be critically analyzed. But interestingly, pollsters said that the research was difficult to conduct because only one out of four people were willing to speak to them. Others were simply reluctant to talk openly about their sexual health.
But the "Middle East" is not homogenous in its opinions, reactions, and attitudes.
A TV show discussing normal and abnormal penis size and its effect on sexual relationships sparked a heated debate in the public sphere, according to another report by Al Arabiya.net. The Kuwaiti TV show "Sirat al Hob" is presented by Fawziya Dre'e, a veiled Muslim woman, who interviewed a venereal diseases specialist.
The TV show elicited a range of opinions varying from scandalous, scientific, welcome debate, religiously immodest, and unnecessary discussion.
The airing of such a discussion stands on the opposite side of the continuum to those individuals who chose not to participate in the sexual health poll.
However, both opposites demonstrate the need for a sound understanding of the etiquette of sex discussions, awareness, and knowledge.
The answer? A re-introduction and reaffirmation of sex education from an Islamic perspective.
There is a difference between cultural and religious approaches to sex discussions. While some regions are either markedly conservative or liberal, Islam encourages a modest, respectful, and informed dialogue about sexual relationships/health.
Sheikh Mohammed Hussain was asked about developing a sex education curriculum from an Islamic perspective. He advices that Islamic sex education informs young people about sexuality in a scientific and moral manner, that does not lead them to indulge their desires in a haram way. The degree of knowledge imparted depends on the age and education stage of the students.
According to Sheikh Abdul Majeed Subh, a prominent Azharite scholar, "“Those who think that sex education is not allowed in Islam are completely wrong. The books of Islamic jurisprudence expose several topics promoting sexual awareness...All these rulings are dealt with in the books of Islamic jurisprudence in a moral and scientific manner."
Thus the supposed conservatism of Muslim and Arab societies about sexual matters becomesa negative cultural practice in the light of Islamic openness and informed discussions about sex.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
You know another irony? It's that young women (teens) here in the UAE and India don't even go to the gynac and its almost considered scandalous if you do. And this considering that any medical professional shall tell you its important to visit a gynac at least once a year as soon as you have started your menstrual cycle. So that sort of sexual-health education (or whatever the right phrase is) isn't there either.
And yes of course, in Islamic classes at school we aren't given that much sexual education. Practically none at all actually. Which is a bit sad because you also then miss out on an important aspect of understanding the religion itself - like how practical it is and how it realistically guides you on this matter which is so natural and important part of human life. Things like even sexual desire from an Islamic perspective -- which is so normal for both men and women aren't even explained. And so then you think no, no its haraam. But its not exactly that now is it?
Understanding it from an Islamic perspective in that sense then becomes very important - not just for moral reasons, but to make us more comfortable with it and also more significantly to be able to practice the religion properly as well. That they miss out on that aspect in the education is the saddest bit.
We definitely need to see a revision of the current Islamic educational system.
Post a Comment