Sharing Beliefs: What Sexuality Means To Muslim Iranian Women Living In A Western Society

The concept of ‘sexual obedience’ within marriage symbolizes an idealised Muslim femininity.  ‘Sexual obedience’ shows these women’s high level of religious commitment. It is also an indicator of Islamic modesty and self-respect regarding their sexuality. Some of the participants explained that ‘it is a woman’s duty to satisfy her husband in any sexual occasion, otherwise she has rejected Allah’s word’. At the same time they accepted a premise that ‘the whole Quran is the word of Allah and we would like all to accept Allah’s word’. They did not utilize the notion of subordination through their sexual lives. The informants, who defined the subordination, viewed androcentricity as the foundation of various interpretations of religious principles. This vagueness is tied to religious leaders’ interpretations about Quranic concepts and Iranian women’s narratives.
In this study, religion is found as an important determinant influencing Iranian women’s sexual understanding. This is relevant to women’s health, sexual education and public health. Recognition of this issue will facilitate understanding of the cultural foundations of sexuality of Muslim clients, and assist health providers to be sensitive to clients’ cultural specificity and to suggest culturally compatible health care.