@cycads: I definitely agree with you that the sexuality of Muslim women is an issue that needs to be talked about more, and that the misconception Muslim women are these asexual beings needs to be refuted. And although I disagree with the concept of using your sexuality as a means to an end—Muslim or otherwise—it’s still important to show that it does happen. Sexuality is used in a multitude of ways, good and bad, to manipulate, coerce, seduce, blackmail etc.

And self promotion is not a bad thing, I just did it in my post with the Sharma link 

@ HotConflict: I disagree completely. What you have pointed out are the two extremes—and the umma of Prophet Mohammad is ‘ummatun wasat,’ i.e. in the middle. You can denounce terrorism and acts of violence completely (which most Muslims do) and at the same time look at those who engage in homosexual activity with the eye of Islam—mercy. In fact, I think it would be hypocritical to say ‘terrorism is wrong, haram etc,’ and then turn around and say ‘homosexuals should be killed.’

@Salma: Kudos to you for studying women and gender studies; I was only brave enough to take a couple of courses before the peer pressure to choose a ‘reasonable’ major got to me.

I agree with you and will add that pretending otherwise only makes us seem ignorant and intolerant, content to keep our heads buried in the sand. Just because we decide to ignore an issue doesn’t mean it’s not there.

@Talia: Sobia has already answered you and she’s right. It’s not up to us to judge who is right and who is wrong, only God will judge.

And this is a bit off topic, but I just wanted to let you know that the Yacoubian building (you can buy the book from Amazon) is one of the best movies produced in Egypt during this last period. It wasn’t talking about homosexuality in Islam, it was talking about social issues in Egypt, and one of them was unfortunately sexuality being used to bribe—an editor of a magazine seduced a poor policeman and tempted him through money. And this happens.

[This comment has been edited to fit within comment policy guidelines.]

As a Muslimah studying Women & Gender Studies I am asked constantly WHY I would be interested in this topic or why study it? I know in those moments I am being perceived ONLY as a Muslim woman. Strangely, some of my professors also have pre-conceived ideas about me…what I think..and why.

I think we have to be honest with ourselves…people are people. There is nothing NOTHING that non-Muslims do that Muslims do not do. The reasons may vary, the circumstances and understanding may be contextualized based on what we know, are taught and to be frank OUR MORALS (at times). I think we have to just be truthful and question it and try to understand it.

the radicals extremist terrorist evil doer… OR….

good believing moral Lesbian Homosexual Muslim….

HELLO !

Where are the mainstream muslims…?

I’m very interested in the sexuality of Muslim women, especially how its represented in the media – I’m constantly checking out MMW for such updates! I’ve written a critique of ‘The Beauty Myth’ author, Naomi Wolf’s article about Muslim women’s sexuality on my blog (shameless self-promotion alert!):

http://cycads.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/no-thank-you-naomi-wolf/