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Handbook of Islamic Education pp 263–287Cite as

Islam, Sexualities, and Education

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Part of the book series: International Handbooks of Religion and Education ((IHRE,volume 7))

Abstract

The notion of sexuality in the Muslim context is characterized by silences and invisibilities; discussion of sexuality is not encouraged and practices such as homosexuality and/or premarital sex are not acknowledged. Sexuality is a potentially explosive sphere and a contested domain where social and ideological conflicts are played out. Demographic, socio-economic, and political changes have brought about the appearance of “new” forms of marriage and the emergence of noncommercial premarital sex, resulting in a new geography of sex and sexuality. The domain of sexuality is becoming increasingly contested, especially when factoring in the hegemonic Islamic discourse, which prohibits premarital sex and conceptualizes individuals’ transition from birth to adolescence to marriage as asexual. This chapter examines the discrepancy between conventional expectations that sexuality be postponed until marriage and the lived realities of the emerging youth culture and education that is attuned to global trends but rooted in local sensitivities. Although youth are busy negotiating new terrains of sexuality, public policy’s stance towards young people’s sexuality in the Muslim world is still characterized by silence and denial. This is evidenced by the lack of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, which would empower young people in relation to sexuality.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Mariam Nagi

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  1. Mariam Nagi
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Correspondence to Mariam Nagi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of International Education, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

    Holger Daun

  2. Department of Education, Linnæus University, Växjö, Sweden

    Reza Arjmand

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Nagi, M. (2018). Islam, Sexualities, and Education. In: Daun, H., Arjmand, R. (eds) Handbook of Islamic Education. International Handbooks of Religion and Education, vol 7. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64683-1_11

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