As reported in USA Today, muta'a ("ecstasy" in arabic) is having a renaissance in Iraq at this time. As I understand it, muta'a is a"pleasure marriage" contract lasting anywhere from one hour to 10 years, stipulating that the man will pay the woman in exchange for sexual intimacy. This is grounded in old Shiite customs with roots going back to Mohammed as a way to ensure a respectable means of income for widowed or single (with the permission of her father) women.

This practice had been forced underground since Saddam Hussein came to power and has re-emerged within the Shiite community and making inroads within the Sunni population. This practice does not seem to be acceptable amongst the Kurds. This is a controversial practice (although not in Lebanon) which, from all reports, provides protection for the children of such arrangements, but not for the women involved, although not all women agree on this point.

Who knows, perhaps gay moslems will be accepted next? Certainly the internet has been an asset.

Just Ken

CLASSical Liberalism