| Publication |
2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Academic and popular discourses of Islam and Muslims, particularly within the
Western context, tend to focus on macro issues such as multiculturalism, community
integration, political management, and governmental policies. This scenario is
primarily propelled by the geopolitical sensitivities surrounding a key question-
what Turner (2007: 123) has called 'the management of Muslims'. Under this
climate, some may consider the examination of sex and sexuality inconsequential
and insignificant, at best an endeavour within the confines of theology and ethics
(good works in this area include e.g. Ali 2006; Wadud 2006). Yet, as scholars such
as Plummer (2003) and Richardson (2000) have rightly pointed out, although issues
about sexuality are seemingly personal, private, and intimate, they have a significant
public and policy dimension because they are related to our status and rights as
citizens, thus inextricably linked to other aspects of social life. I am therefore
grateful to Gabriele Marranci for inviting me to edit this special collection which
aims to illuminate a grossly under-studied aspect of Muslim lives.
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