AFP Shills for Consanguinal Marriage and Wild and Crazy Syrians

I think this is supposed to be a piece about how liberated and amazing Syria is-you know-despite it being a thugocracy run by the second generation of Assads. Unfortunately, AFP has not heard of the law of unintended consequences. This part kind of made me shudder. "That such sexy garments are visibly on sale in a well-frequented Damascus market should come as no surprise, according to one Syrian sociologist who prefers not to be identified. "The culture of sexual pleasure has an important role in Islam," he says of a patriarchal and conservative society in which polygamy is allowed. "A Muslim woman works hard to ensure she is attractive. But she keeps her eroticism for her husband. She may be limited in personal liberties outside the home, but inside anything goes." Amal, a pretty woman of 42 sporting a colourful scarf, has come to the Al-Hamidiyeh souk to choose lingerie for her daughter who will be marrying her cousin this summer.