It appears that starting with mid-July and continuing through early August in Saudi Arabia was the time for unusual media attention and specifically to topics which had sexual connotations. First of all in mid-July there was Mazen Abdul Jawad who went into graphic detail about sexual conquests during an interview with the Lebanese TV station, LBC. His remarks created such an uproar that a government official was quoted as saying “discussing sex in public is a punishable offense….” Jawad was arrested following the angry outpour of complaints by Saudis who saw his interview. In fact, there is even speculation that he could face the death penalty for his outspokenness.
Shortly following on the heels of the Jawad interview were two additional unusual articles with sexual connotations. The first story comes from AFP out of Ottawa and describes an unusual order a Canadian company received from a Saudi man in Jeddah. X4Labs, a Canadian manufacture of medical devices was the recipient of the order from the Saudi man for a penis enlarger. It is not unusual for a man to order a penis enlarger if he has problems with circulation which can interfere with intercourse or to help correct penile curvatures (Peyronies disease). Last but not least, the penis enlarger, as its name infers, also adds inches to the size of the penis. Now what made the Saudi order in particular stand out amongst all other orders received by X4Labs is that the Saudi customer requested for his enlarger to not only be fabricated using solid 18 carat gold but to also have diamonds and rubies affixed to it too. While a traditional penis enlarger would cost around US$400, this custom order costs just under US$50,000.
Now while there is a Saudi man in Jeddah wanting to enhance his “crown jewels” there is also an Arab expat in Majmaah who felt so scorned and rejected when he learned that his ex-wife had had a baby with her new husband that he decided to chop off his penis. Fortunately for him he was able to have his penis surgically reattached at King Khalid Hospital.
Due to these unusual articles, incidents and requests it begs the question is the subject of S E X taboo in Islam? Is it taboo specifically in Saudi Arabia? Are too many people in Saudi Arabia not comfortable or secure in their own sexuality? Wedad Lootah who is a muslim and native of the Emirates has published a book “Top Secret: Sexual Guidance for Married Couples” which go into intimacy issues that many may think and wonder about but are too timid to ask or discuss. Lootah is among those in the Arab muslim world pushing for more openness and education about sex in the conservative muslim societies. She believes sex and relationship issues should be addressed and in keeping with the Quran.
Given the unusual incidents of July and August I also agree that S E X and relationship issues should be more openly addressed. Such topics can be discussed in a manner that is civilized without any vulgar or inappropriate connotations. It is important to underscore that S E X is not dirty or something only performed for pro-creation.
Filed under: culture, gender, islam, relationships, religion, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, Saudi education, Saudi Living, Uncategorized, Women Issues Tagged: | culture, culture shock, customs, gender, gender issues, islam, KSA, Love, marriage, Relationship, religion, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, women
No one believes that sex is only preformed for pro-creation. It’s pre-marital sex that’s the issue with that particular interview.
Basically, most are taught that as long as you’re married having as much sex as possible is good for your relationship but you don’t talk about it outside your bedroom.
WHAT A POST to start Ramadan with Carol!
LOL.
Diamond encrusted penis enhancers? OMG. If I could stop laughing for a second maybe I could formulate a response.
Nah, I’ll just keep laughing……….
Oh and btw, sex ed in most Muslim communities is either non-existent or atrocious…usually it’s the converts that have to remind the community that it is a natural thing that kids need to learn about at some point. Yet another reason why the converts are always looked at suspiciously…..LOL…”rabble rousers”
I agree with Mohamed. People here are obsessed with sex. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat in teachers’ staff rooms in different schools where the whole conversation is about techniques, natural herbs and other things that I felt inappropriate in a professional setting. Then there are the books! You have the old extremely unscientific and yet still popular Dorat Al Aroos (the bride’s pearl) and a plethora of social and religiously based books. All are about the pleasure aspect. We are even taught about a Hadith encouraging foreplay and another about how the Prophet PBUH used to bathe with his wife Aisha. And on TV you have Dr. Fowziya Al Diriya who has an 18+ segment in which people can call in their questions. The list goes on.
Just to explain a few things, Mazen Abdul Jawad is not being sentenced to death because he was talking about sex, The reason he is being senenced is becaue he basically confessed to committing adultry on live TV. The death penalty is because A) he is married + B) he boasted openly and happily of his act.
In Islam, for you to commit a sin and keep it quite keeps the issue between you and GOD for he is all forgiving, but when you commit a sin and boast about it thats when the punishment comes in.
Also note that the severity of the punishment is becuase he was married and cheated on his wife and becuase he boasted proudly of it. A single man or woman that commit adultry out of wedlock do get a punishment but are not sentenced to death.
SEX is not a Taboo subject per say, it just depends on how its talked about. If its an informative session to gain knowledge like the examples given by saudiwoman then that’s fine.
Sex in the middle east has a peculiar position (no pun intended)…on one hand its supposed to be something that only married couples engage in…discuss and desire…on the other hand its the top topic of discussion for any gathering of more than a few individuals…not to mention everyone is consumed with the business of wondering who is getting some…who has got some…and what can we do to trash HER rep now (never his).
Aphrodisiacs…such as they are…are a big seller here. Most of those are geared for men though…as men are the ones that are supposed to get the most enjoyment out of sex…and we should all strive to make sure that happens. Resturaunts do a brisk business selling shark fin soup believing it boost the sexual energy of men…it apparently has no affect on women. The natural medicine stores have shelves full of natural remedies for men to take that will boost their sexual drive and give them stamina etc…Ive yet to see one geared for a woman…women arent supposed to feel a sexual drive I guess…and the only stamina she should need is to withstand newly empowered husbands nightly forays.
Anyhow…sex sex sex its the hands down topic of convo here…its supposed to be taught as just another bodiy function humans engage in…however the hush hush quality given to it means its considered a taboo subject and should only be discussed in closed cirlces…with the door locked…curtains closed…and lights off preferably….throw some giggles in for light relief.
I see this case about the stupid bragger on LBC more as a law and order problem. For some reason the western media is hell bent
Even in other parts of the world citing India and Grenada (Caribbean) to be precise people can be arrested for openly bragging about their bedroom and dirty exploits…
@coolred, again as usual generalizing… Sex is not the only thing discussed here.
And again it depends on the gathering you prefer to join and discuss. It is natural human tendency to join conversation which suite you the most….
Like for example in my year and half being active socially amongst the locals, sex never came up, usually it is family, jobs, money and religion which is discussed.
So you usually end up having conversations you prefer at the end of the day…
It’s good that there are Saudis here on this forum to give us their insight as to this topic of sex.
I had to teach a ‘health’ class to 6th grade girls at the American School here, about 10 years ago, and later had a talk with my own children. I never thought of it as ‘taboo’ but noticed that it’s never discussed by the males in our family.
I don’t think that Mazen Abdul Jawad should be put to death for speaking openly because, apparently, he thought that the show would cover his identity….so it wasn’t meant to be an open admission of guilt….just a show about what is REALLY happening in this country. If anything, it’s a wake-up call.
I mean, if they are going to do that to him, then what about the people who were involved in egging him on and providing the sex toys, and the producers of the show, and the owners of the network, and those willing to broadcast it? Surely they never thought that the guy would be executed for their silliness. Also, he could have been making up most of it for sensationalism…. much like our own Jerry Springer t.v. show does in the states.
Instead, closing the office of LBC here in the Kingdom sent a very clear concise message that this kind of thing will NOT be tolerated.
The poor guys were just ‘props’ LBC used to sell their show. I think the wives of these guys should be able to beat the crap out of them …..or at least they should be able to ‘take them to the cleaners’ financially. But, at the end of the day (or perhaps at the end of Ramadan) he and his buddies should be let go with a lesser punishment and a stern warning.
It’s good that there are Saudis here on this forum to give us their insight as to this topic of sex.
I had to teach a ‘health’ class to 6th grade girls at the American School here, about 10 years ago, and later had a talk with my own children. I never thought of it as ‘taboo’ but noticed that it’s never discussed by the males in our family.
I don’t think that Mazen Abdul Jawad should be put to death for speaking openly because, apparently, he thought that the show would cover his identity….so it wasn’t meant to be an open admission of guilt….just a show about what is REALLY happening in this country. If anything, it’s a wake-up call.
I mean, if they are going to do that to him, then what about the people who were involved in egging him on and providing the sex toys, and the producers of the show, and the owners of the network, and those willing to broadcast it? Surely they never thought that the guy would be executed for their silliness. Also, he could have been making up most of it for sensationalism…. much like our own Jerry Springer t.v. show does in the states.
Instead, closing the office of LBC here in the Kingdom sent a very clear concise message that this kind of thing will NOT be tolerated.
The poor guys were just ‘props’ LBC used to sell their show. I think the wives of these guys should be able to beat the crap out of them …..or at least they should be able to ‘take them to the cleaners’ financially. But, at the end of the day (or perhaps at the end of Ramadan) he and his buddies should be let go with a lesser punishment and a stern warning.
Sorry, forgot to add great post! Can’t wait to see your next post!
Abu Abdullah…on the contrary…I usually am not a participant in these discussions…for they are Arabic conversations…of which Im quite capable of following along with…but generally choose not to engage in. I merely sit and listen to some of the most jaw dropping stories Ive ever heard….ironic coming from Muslims considering they point accusing fingers at all of westerners… deeming us without morals.
The Arabs that surround you certainly seem to be better behaved than the ones that surround me…I concede that fact.
Oops…forgot to insert the word “some” in there somewhere….consider it implied.
@Simple Saudi,
The death penalty is for adultery if the adulterer is married but WHEN? why the judge does not follow the model of the prophet when Al Gamdiah came to the prophet and admitted for 4 times that she committed adultery? the prophet was seeking excuses for her for four times. he did not take an advantage of her confession and order her to death. HE GAVE HER FOUR CHANCES TO DENY IT ALTHOUGHT SHE ADMITTED AND ASKED that she order to death. I think MUSLIMS do not understand the essence of many teachings of the prophet.
Interesting topic. I enjoyed the article you linked about Wedad Lootah. Quite a lady!
First of all I want to apologize for this post appearing on the first day of Ramadan as that was not intentional. I tend to write posts in advance and they appear in the order they have been written.
I do not remember who made the comment about the West making the most of the incidents cited in my blog but wish to point out that I learned about all these incidents from the Saudi media!
In regards to sex education in Saudi schools, you might find this earlier post interesting based on a discussion of the subject with some Saudi university students:
http://americanbedu.com/2007/10/18/sex-education-in-the-kingdom/
“But the seemingly lavish device was actually conceived for a practical purpose, Oh explained. “We were approached by the customer who insisted on a solid gold version of our product because he claimed to have a severe skin allergy to stainless steel.”"
Interesting topic. China is having a ‘sexual awakening’ with it’s people. Sex was to be repressed and only for pro-creation during the great revolution. It was kept so hush, hush that some adults had no clue as to how to go about it when they go married. Now there is a new revolution and the people are flocking to ‘sexpositions’ to learn about sex, see toys, etc. etc.. Victorian England suppressed a lot of English people. Good for Wedad Lootah!!!!
@Nader – I can understand and accept the skin condition but then the request for it to be encrusted with jewels kind of undermines it…just my view.
Ah, I was just going to comment on the allergy-effect of diamonds….
I would like a diamond encrusted, 24 carat goldcovered laptop…
I’m allergic…
to feeling poor….
@Aafke – that is funny — diamond encrusted, gold laptop….but didn’t Prince Alwaleed have a car made like that?
“We were approached by the customer who insisted on a solid gold version of our product because he claimed to have a severe skin allergy to stainless steel.””
Isn’t that counter productive. What else can produce enlargement better than a major allergic reaction.
Bedu, don’t know, but such a car would be the very thing for me
please tell him and I will give him the adress to send it to. 
Saudi in US, ROTFL !!!!!!!
EVIL!!!!!!!
but sooo true!
@Aafke – I’d like a car like that too…perhaps if we request it sincerely for our Eid gift…we might get lucky! All we have to do is oooooo and ahhhhhhh over how much we really like his car and he should get us one just like it, right?
I heard throwing a shoe at a foreign head of state will get you a car…lol. Might try that avenue.
I found a picture of the car: http://alwalead.co.cc/image/129613_1199875845.jpg
Enjoy and dream!
@coolred anecdotal evidence is not very good evidence
Also @everyone Mazan Abu Jawad isn’t being tried for adultery as he is divorced.
Mohammed S….*hmmmm…thought he was busy ignoring me*
@Carol – Love the car! You’d have to wear sunglasses, though, even at night if you were in the same area. Imagine the sparkle and shine after a waxing!!! ROFL It must look like the opening night of Atlantis Hotel in Dubai going down the street!! On an even brighter note, the article on your page today about the sex braggart says that they are going to hold the 4 of them for 40 more days. Thank God! At least they’ll be off the streets for the rest of Ramadan and Eid so that women (and their fathers, brothers, cousins, and uncles in Jeddah) can relax! BRAVO !!!
I thought wearing gold was haraam for men???? Or maybe you can wear it around your willy that’s nilly
I have a quetion and i want to know why sauda arabans love sex.
Salam all , this is my first time writing in any blog ,, cuse i dont know how to express my feeling or thoughts by typing it
first about the SEX issue ,,, who said it is a taboo ,,, We taught about it from Prophet’s Hadith and his wife’s
,, it is about how and what u say ,,, even in other country and relgions (right!!),, u need to be decint andrecpectfull …
and about al waleed car … is any body or any media or paparzi saw him … first time i saw this pic’s they said it is owned by Paris hilton ;D
Hi everyone here!
Sex is not taboo in Islam rather it is taught in decent and legal ways.