Honors Theses
Date of Award
2015
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Croft Institute for International Studies
First Advisor
Ross Haenfler
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
It is well documented that over the last decade, LGB individuals in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have become more subjected to increased harassment, abuse and, perhaps, even torture at the hands of police officials. What is also well documented, but rarely mentioned is the prominence of homosexuality and its suggested acceptance in literature during the Islamic Golden Age (622-1258). So, what happened? Using an interdisciplinary approach, this thesis sheds light on the reasons for the attitudinal change regarding homosexuality between the Islamic Golden Age and contemporary Islamic states in the MENA region after 1918. These are the influences from colonialist hegemonies as well as the opportunity to exploit sacrilegious-ness and the need for social and moral restoration in order to achieve political gains.
Recommended Citation
Sayles, Sequareah, "That Awkward Moment When...: An Explanation of How Britain Made the Modern Arab World Homophobic" (2015). Honors Theses. 847.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/847
Accessibility Status
Searchable text
Comments
A thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for completion of the Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from the Croft Institute for International Studies and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College.