Shereen El Feki: A little-told tale of sex and sensuality

A little-told tale of sex and sensuality

“If you really want to know a people, start by looking inside their bedrooms," says Shereen El Feki, who traveled through the Middle East for five years, talking to people about sex. While those conversations reflected rigid norms and deep repression, El Feki also discovered that sexual conservatism in the Arab world is a relatively new thing. She wonders: could a re-emergence of public dialogue lead to more satisfying, and safer, sex lives?

Rigid sexual taboos dominate much of today’s Arab region, where even a woman with a child may present medical certificates of virginity. Yet, history reveals a tradition of open sexual discourse and rich erotica that has largely faded from public memory. Deep double standards, silence, and shame have replaced once-vibrant conversations about desire and intimacy. Small but determined efforts are now emerging to reclaim dialogue, rights, and safety for all, signaling a quiet evolution rather than a sudden revolution.