A first of its kind book on sexual education written by an Emirati social worker has created heated debates in the online community in the UAE. Wedad Lootah, a counselor at the Dubai Family Court, wrote the 221-page book, “The Secrets of Sexual Congress Between Married Couples.”
The book hit the stores a month ago. Published at the author’s own expense, the book has seven chapters covering topics such as marriage in Islam, the fiqh of cohabitation, marriage and sex, nutrition and sex and solutions to sexual problems, as well as some real life stories.
The book’s opponents, mostly men, claim that the book’s topic is taboo and should not be publicly discussed. Some have even gone as far as to call Lootah an infidel and a sinner for writing about such a subject.
On the other hand, the book’s supporters say there is an urgent need for such educative literature. They point out that Arab societies are turning a blind eye to problems resulting from ignorance of sexual issues.
Lootah, who is no stranger to controversy, is unfazed by all the negativity the book has generated. A few years ago she caused a stir by calling for the introduction of sex education in UAE schools.
“I think a lot of people who have not even bothered to read the book are confusing matters. This book targets couples who plan to get married, not school children. Young people should be given education on these matters but the content should be appropriate for their ages,” she said.
Lootah, who wears a full hijab, said she referred Islamic sources for her book. “After I finished the draft, I showed it to scholars, including the mufti of Dubai who approved it,” she said.
Lootah, who has been working in the family courts for six years, said the book was inspired by her experiences at work.
In one of the divorce cases she was counseling, a man sought separation from his wife because she refused to give in to his whims.
Even though the man took care of his wife’s interests, she was adamant in her refusal saying such acts were demeaning to her status in society.
In another case, a woman who had been married for 35 years without ever enjoying sexual relationship with her husband was seeking divorce. “The poor woman did not know that she could gain pleasure from being intimate with her husband,” said Lootah.
“She was so angry and disgusted by her husband’s selfishness that she refused to live with him and filed for divorce,” she added.
According to Lootah, all these divorce cases and many others that reach the courts on a daily basis would not have been there if these couples were given proper sexual education.
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=24§ion=0&article=119643&d=26&m=2&y=2009
The book hit the stores a month ago. Published at the author’s own expense, the book has seven chapters covering topics such as marriage in Islam, the fiqh of cohabitation, marriage and sex, nutrition and sex and solutions to sexual problems, as well as some real life stories.
The book’s opponents, mostly men, claim that the book’s topic is taboo and should not be publicly discussed. Some have even gone as far as to call Lootah an infidel and a sinner for writing about such a subject.
On the other hand, the book’s supporters say there is an urgent need for such educative literature. They point out that Arab societies are turning a blind eye to problems resulting from ignorance of sexual issues.
Lootah, who is no stranger to controversy, is unfazed by all the negativity the book has generated. A few years ago she caused a stir by calling for the introduction of sex education in UAE schools.
“I think a lot of people who have not even bothered to read the book are confusing matters. This book targets couples who plan to get married, not school children. Young people should be given education on these matters but the content should be appropriate for their ages,” she said.
Lootah, who wears a full hijab, said she referred Islamic sources for her book. “After I finished the draft, I showed it to scholars, including the mufti of Dubai who approved it,” she said.
Lootah, who has been working in the family courts for six years, said the book was inspired by her experiences at work.
In one of the divorce cases she was counseling, a man sought separation from his wife because she refused to give in to his whims.
Even though the man took care of his wife’s interests, she was adamant in her refusal saying such acts were demeaning to her status in society.
In another case, a woman who had been married for 35 years without ever enjoying sexual relationship with her husband was seeking divorce. “The poor woman did not know that she could gain pleasure from being intimate with her husband,” said Lootah.
“She was so angry and disgusted by her husband’s selfishness that she refused to live with him and filed for divorce,” she added.
According to Lootah, all these divorce cases and many others that reach the courts on a daily basis would not have been there if these couples were given proper sexual education.
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=24§ion=0&article=119643&d=26&m=2&y=2009