Religion and Sexuality: A Qualitative Study of Young Muslim College Students’ Experiences

Few studies to-date have explored the intersection(s) of Islam and human sexuality. This paucity translates into poorly-equipped educators and clinicians who would otherwise be positioned to help young adults navigate contemporary Western culture(s). The qualitative investigation presented here engaged eight Muslim university students via key informant interviews. Principal topics covered included sexuality, religion, family, social media, friends, and culture(s). Thematic analyses followed an iterative data reduction method that was guided by a feminist lens, with particular attention to equity and power foci. Participants shared struggles and successes with integrating their Muslim identities in a Western world. They described how, by reinterpreting elements of the Quran and through self- and family- differentiation, it was (is) possible to embrace Islam in a manner that feels personally pious and sexually healthy. Research-, education-, and clinical- implications are presented in conclusion.