De minaret van Bagdad

Book Description

This thought-provoking exploration challenges contemporary assumptions about Islam and sexuality by revealing a striking historical paradox. While today's Western perception often portrays Islamic culture as sexually repressive, author Michiel Leezenberg demonstrates how dramatically these views have shifted over time.

Drawing from classical Islamic texts including the tales of One Thousand and One Nights, alongside works by Dutch authors Louis Couperus and Gerard Reve, this scholarly investigation uncovers a complex truth. For centuries, Islamic societies actually maintained more tolerant attitudes toward both male and female sexuality, including homosexual desires and practices, than their Christian European counterparts. The contemporary image of sexual repression represents a relatively recent development rather than an eternal characteristic.

Leezenberg traces not only how Western perceptions of Muslims have transformed over the past century, but also how sexual attitudes and practices within Islamic communities themselves have evolved. The book examines how sexuality has become weaponized in modern conflicts between groups like Daesh, local opposition forces, and liberal Western societies.

By weaving together historical analysis, literary examination, and contemporary political dynamics, this work offers readers a nuanced understanding of how religious, cultural, and political forces shape sexual norms across different eras. For those seeking deeper insight into the intersection of spirituality, culture, and human sexuality, this book provides a refreshing perspective on often polarized public discussions.