Sex and the Citadel

Sex and the Citadel examines sexuality in the Arab world through extensive research and interviews conducted across the region. El Feki draws from her background as both a Western-trained immunologist and a woman with Egyptian Muslim heritage to explore this complex territory. The book moves between historical analysis and present-day accounts, documenting attitudes toward marriage, divorce, sex work, LGBT identities, and reproductive rights. Through conversations with doctors, activists, religious scholars, sex workers, and ordinary citizens, El Feki constructs a portrait of sexuality in Arab societies both before and after the Arab Spring. The text balances academic research with personal narratives and maintains a focus on Egypt while incorporating perspectives from other Arab nations. El Feki's investigation includes topics ranging from temporary marriage practices to changing gender roles to the impact of technology on sexual expression. This work serves as both cultural commentary and sociological study, revealing how sexual attitudes mirror broader social and political tensions in the Arab world. The book suggests that understanding sexuality is key to understanding the forces of tradition and change in contemporary Arab society.

Readers describe Sex and the Citadel as an informative look at sexuality in the Arab world, particularly Egypt. Many note that El Feki balances scholarly research with personal stories and interviews. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of complex cultural and religious topics - Mix of statistics and individual narratives - Respectful handling of sensitive subjects - Historical context for current attitudes Common criticisms: - Too focused on Egypt vs other Arab countries - Some sections feel repetitive - Writing style can be dry in statistical portions - Several readers wanted more personal stories Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (130+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Manages to be both academic and deeply human" - Goodreads reviewer "Important but sometimes dense reading" - Amazon reviewer "The personal interviews were compelling but too brief" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🔹 Author Shereen El Feki spent five years traveling across the Arab region, conducting hundreds of intimate interviews about sexuality, relationships, and tradition while living in Cairo. 🔹 The book's title is a play on "Sex and the City," but references the Citadel fortress in Cairo, symbolizing the protective walls around discussions of sexuality in Arab society. 🔹 El Feki's unique perspective comes from her mixed heritage - she was raised in Canada by a Welsh mother and Egyptian father, allowing her to bridge Western and Arab cultural understanding. 🔹 The research for this book coincided with the Arab Spring, providing insight into how political revolution intersects with sexual attitudes and women's rights in the region. 🔹 While working on this book, El Feki was vice-chair of the UN's Global Commission on HIV and Law, bringing additional depth to her examination of sexual health in the Arab world.