Sex and the Citadel audiobook cover - Intimate Life in a Changing Arab World

Sex and the Citadel

Intimate Life in a Changing Arab World

Shereen El Feki

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Sex & RelationshipsHistory

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Sex and the Citadel
Historical Context+
Modern Repression & Taboos+
Virginity & Marriage Pressures+
Media & Censorship+
Prostitution Loopholes+
Homosexuality+
The Path Forward+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
What historical event primarily triggered the shift towards sexual repression in the Muslim world, according to the text?
  • A. The establishment of the first Islamic caliphate in the seventh century.
  • B. Western colonization and subsequent military defeats.
  • C. The widespread adoption of conservative internet censorship in the 1990s.
  • D. The introduction of Western progressive sexual rights.
Question 2 of 7
According to sex therapist Heba Kotb, what is the most significant underlying cause of sexual dissatisfaction among married couples in Egypt?
  • A. The high cost of medical care and counseling.
  • B. The widespread use of temporary marriage contracts.
  • C. An overall lack of communication between partners.
  • D. The physical side effects of hymen reconstruction surgeries.
Question 3 of 7
How do some unmarried women in Egypt navigate the strict cultural expectation of being a virgin on their wedding day?
  • A. By legally registering as a temporary bride to avoid virginity testing.
  • B. By undergoing medical procedures to reconstruct the hymen or simulate bleeding.
  • C. By obtaining a religious exemption from local clerics.
  • D. By moving to Europe where virginity certificates are legally prohibited.
Question 4 of 7
In recent years, what has become the biggest taboo for filmmakers dealing with censorship in Egyptian cinema?
  • A. Showing unmarried couples holding hands in public.
  • B. Depicting the historical sexual freedom of the nineteenth century.
  • C. Contrasting sexuality with religion, such as a prostitute wearing a headscarf.
  • D. Casting Western actors in traditional Arab roles.
Question 5 of 7
In modern Egypt, what is the primary practical function of a 'temporary marriage' (zawaj misyaf) as described in the text?
  • A. To allow young couples to live together while saving money for a formal wedding.
  • B. To provide a legal loophole that facilitates commercial prostitution without police interference.
  • C. To give women the legal right to initiate a divorce without a judge's approval.
  • D. To legally recognize same-sex partnerships under traditional Islamic law.
Question 6 of 7
How does the Egyptian artist Anwar view his experience as a gay man living in Cairo compared to living in Europe?
  • A. He prefers Europe because there are more positive Arabic words for homosexuality used there.
  • B. He feels safer in Europe due to the strict anti-discrimination laws.
  • C. He appreciates that Cairo turns a blind eye, allowing him to be seen as an artist rather than being defined by a 'gay label.'
  • D. He finds Cairo too restrictive and prefers the open dialogue about sexuality found in European art circles.
Question 7 of 7
What approach does the author suggest Western aid organizations should take to best support positive sexual change in Muslim societies?
  • A. Withhold all funding until the governments officially adopt secularism.
  • B. Fund independent local organizations without forcing them to adopt Western progressive standards.
  • C. Establish Western-based civil groups directly in Cairo to teach modern sex education.
  • D. Condition their financial aid on the immediate legalization of commercial sex work.

Sex and the Citadel — Full Chapter Overview

Sex and the Citadel Summary & Overview

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.

Who Should Listen to 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

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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