namrekeya-deactivated20161028:

Hey!

You’re right – Sex and the Citadel was a total mess. I think I recommended it to you on another blog two years ago (sorry!) and since then, I’ve started to understand why it rubbed me the wrong way – and even how it didn’t rub me the wrong way at the time but should have. (We all read and learn, it’s part of the process! Plus, at least some of the information in there was helpful, even if the analysis was totally off-putting.) I’m happy you liked the Levine text, though! I love it, too.

So…your instinct to find something more critical is definitely coming from the right place. Since you sent a second message saying I could post this publicly, the four main texts I would recommend are:

These are sort of what everyone reads once they become interested in queer/critical theory in the middle east and south asia. And although these texts are considered foundational, they aren’t immune to critique (esp. the last two: A lot of people I know can’t stand these texts so please don’t yell at me anonymously.) That being said, I think they’re a good place to start. I really support the practice of grappling with these kinds of texts and engaging with them honestly before leveling (or even trying to understand other) critiques.

I also loved sections of Paul Amar’s book, The Security Archipelago but here’s a nice and concise article he wrote with Omnia El Shakry (who is awesome so check her out!) entitled Curiosities of Middle East Studies in Queer Times.

I hope this helps! I’m going to tag @khofnak for good measure because they always have far better recommendations.