Mecca May Soon Have Its First 'Halal' Sex Shop

Antonia Blumberg
Updated

An entrepreneur says he hopes to open the first “halal” sex shop in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

In comments reported by Arabic news channel Alyaoum24, Abdelaziz Aouragh explained the store will not stock sex toys or pornographic DVDs but those which “increase feelings of sensuality and to improve the atmosphere between the couple.”

Aouragh, who founded online Arabic sex shop El Asira, hopes the store will challenge the stereotype of women in Islam.

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muslim lingerie
muslim lingerie

Abdelaziz Aouragh hopes to sell Islamic-approved love aids at the store. Pictured is a Muslim woman browsing lingerie in Damascus, Syria in 2005

He said: “It is not true that Muslim women are seen only in the kitchen and seen only wearing the veil. We should also highlight love.”

The Moroccan-Dutch store owner claims the shop will be fully Sharia compliant and that his plans have been approved by a Saudi Arabian cleric.

The El Asira site bills itself as “a unique Arabic collection for a sensual love life” and includes products such as scented candles, creams and oils.

It defines Sharia compliance as products which are “halal.”

It adds: “In our case, this has nothing to do with food. It has to do with the fact that our products are permissible by Islamic law and the Islamic religion. Therefore all our products are maintaining the integrity, pure humanity and ethics inherent with the Sharia.”

The Gulf Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is governed by Sharia Law and is deeply conservative in its treatment of women.

It is illegal for Saudi women to travel abroad without male accompaniment. They may only do so if their guardian agrees by signing a document know as a 'yellow sheet' at an airport or border crossing.

In November 2012 it emerged women were being electronically monitored with authorities using SMS to track them and inform their husbands of their whereabouts.

It was only in 2011 that women were given the right to vote and run for office in municipal elections in 2015.

Despite these restrictions, the country is home to thousands of lingerie shops, which until 2012 were staffed exclusively by men.

The Hijab

A hijab is a head covering only. It can be worn many different ways including as a simple wrap around, shown here, or Al Amirah style. Regular clothes that cover the arms, shoulders and legs may be worn with the hijab. Women who wear the hijab are Muhajaba, which means they are wearing it for religious purposes.
A hijab is a head covering only. It can be worn many different ways including as a simple wrap around, shown here, or Al Amirah style. Regular clothes that cover the arms, shoulders and legs may be worn with the hijab. Women who wear the hijab are Muhajaba, which means they are wearing it for religious purposes.

Hijab in Action

Sheila & Abaya

An abaya is a long black, loose fitting cloak that often zips or buttons up the front. The sheila is a rectangular scarf that covers the head. Usually made of light silk material and most often found in black, but can be as simple or elaborate as the wearer so chooses. Generally these garments are part of a region's traditional dress, and are therefore worn for cultural reasons rather than religious purposes.

The Niqab

Often mistaken for a burqa, the niqab fully covers the body, but only partially covers the face, leaving a narrow opening for the eyes. Driving while veiled: now a misdemeanor in France.
Often mistaken for a burqa, the niqab fully covers the body, but only partially covers the face, leaving a narrow opening for the eyes. Driving while veiled: now a misdemeanor in France.

The Batula

The Batula is a face covering generally worn by older women in the Gulf region. This is a style that is slowly being depleted and not carried forward by younger generations.
The Batula is a face covering generally worn by older women in the Gulf region. This is a style that is slowly being depleted and not carried forward by younger generations.

The Burqa

Burqas come in many colors and fully covers the wearer, often there is a net window over the eyes so the wearer can see out, but no one can see in.
Burqas come in many colors and fully covers the wearer, often there is a net window over the eyes so the wearer can see out, but no one can see in.

Burqas & Bicycles

This particular burqa is called the chadri, the light blue color and style is native to Afghanistan.
This particular burqa is called the chadri, the light blue color and style is native to Afghanistan.

Doa Gaun

"Doa gaun" or "dress for praying." This dress slips over the clothing of women in two pieces...the gown and the headscarf. It is very common in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The doa gaun is usually carried with women when they are on the go. They can stop in the nearest Masjid, or suaru (a place for prayer), slip this over the clothing they are wearing, worship and take it off to continue the day.

The Chador

The Chador is more common to Iran. It is a long billowing dress that leaves the face open but covers the wrists and ankles. Chador's in a more plain black color with less decorative embellishments.
The Chador is more common to Iran. It is a long billowing dress that leaves the face open but covers the wrists and ankles. Chador's in a more plain black color with less decorative embellishments.

The Birquini

Fully covering beachwear made of lightweight swimsuit material.
Fully covering beachwear made of lightweight swimsuit material.

Baywatch: Abu Dhabi

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.