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Abdul: I wanted to help non-Saudi partners of Saudis, who must be short of information about the sexual habits of the Saudi, given that such habits are considered to be exceptionally private to the extent that they are not discussed in the Western media or even in the Saudi media. One of the most common keyword searches that lead to the blog is "My Saudi Boyfriend." I also wanted to help Saudis abroad, who, like any other Saudi, lack sex education, given that this kind of education does not actually exist in Saudi school and university curricula. To be honest, I learned from Sex and the City. I [was] inspired by the series: You write down your frustrations and your observations, and it's kind of like you have a voice.Earlier this year, a Saudi blogger, Raif Badawi, was imprisoned for writing about religion. Do you have any legal concerns about publishing Sex and Beyond under your real name?
I think in Saudi Arabia nowadays, it's okay to criticize the culture. As long as you don't go into politics, then you're OK. That's why I'm trying, in a way, not to go into politics.But isn't your blog inherently political? You're writing about sex in a country that lacks sexual education.
There is no explicit political aim. My only aim is to enhance cultural exchange. There is a lack of information on this topic in the international community, so I'm trying to spread information. I'm constantly interviewing and observing; every single Saudi I see as data.
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I've experienced hardly any repercussions, in terms of members of the Saudi society criticizing my blog or attacking me on a personal level. The blog is written in English and therefore is read only by those Saudis who can speak English, and these Saudis tend to be highly educated and tolerant, in a way. That said, I have received some inappropriate comments. For example, one said to a friend of mine: "If I see Abdul, I'll piss on him." A critic of my blog saw me as being a disgrace to Saudi culture. One day, I wrote a post called "Sex and the Male Saudi's Private Area." A Saudi colleague of mine wrote to me: "May ask you, Dr. Al Lily? What is the main benefit you can get from this post? Are you serious or just kidding us? Please, next time discuss topics that reflect your knowledge and status as a doctor."
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I believe sexuality is an imitation of humanity. It's something we have to do. Regardless of how strong you are, when it comes to sex, you become weak. Even the biggest man of all time, when it comes to sex, he becomes pathetic and stupid, right?What are your ambitions for the blog?
I plan to turn the blog into a book, to deliver these voices into the world, to say, "Saudi Arabia has more issues than women driving." What's needed in Saudi Arabia is voices. There are so many voices to be heard. [As] academics and journalists, we need to start listening to them—we need to hear them. But there is a problem with accessibility: I can't access women. My sisters and aunts are working so hard for me. I ask them questions and they gather information from their community. To be honest, I know as much about Saudi women as you know, which is nothing.@jennifermeganMore about Saudi Arabia:Dealing Drugs in Saudi Arabia Is Very Stressful BusinessWhat's It Like Being a Stand-Up Comic in Saudi Arabia?Unveiled
