Living in Saudi Arabia and having many friends who work in hospitals here I am regularly regaled with stories surrounding the lack of knowledge surrounding sex among Muslims.

Just such a friend was telling me how a patient visiting her was suffering from severe neck and back pain because her husband was severely over weight. It was only after prying a little that she discovered he was always on top in the bedroom – neither of them aware that there were alternatives.

I have heard of hundreds upon hundreds of newly married Saudi couples applying for fertility treatment because they have been trying to conceive since the wedding night with no success. However, many of these cases had more to do with penetrating the wrong orifice than infertility…

A woman who attended a women only aqua-aerobics session on the recommendation of the same friend wore a bikini. All the other participants were women in flannel nightgowns who criticized her in Arabic, not realizing she understood every word, for being dressed in a seductive manner.

With such an extent of ignorance around not only sex, but also sexuality, it was with a certain degree of interest that I read an article on Sky News today. According to the article, a Dutch gentleman by the name of Abdelaziz Aouragh has set up an online sex shop for Muslims.

Mr. Aouragh states that everything for sale on his website is in accordance with Sharia Law. Sharia Law is the code of conduct, the rule book if you will, that lays down the law for Muslims. He says he has worked hard to find products that are not offensive and do not offend the Islamic faith. Working closely with the guidance of Islamic religious leaders he is sure that everything on offer is halal, ‘permissible under Islam’.

Why has he stuck his neck out like this you ask? Well, he not only wants to enlighten people such as those who are as clueless as the examples I have shown you, he also wants to break through some of the negative feelings and impressions of Islam. He says that ‘"Everybody is talking about Islam in a negative way," said Mr Aouragh. "I am trying to get something positive out of the dark. "Muslims also have to deal with stereotypical prejudices by some non-Muslims on the topic of sexuality within the Islam. "We want to share with other Muslims in a positive way our contribution to a broader view of sexuality and eroticism within the Muslim community," the website says, "for Muslims themselves, as for others."’

I have said before that there needs to be some reform, or revolution from within Islam to bring it level with the modern world, and perhaps this is the start. It is not something that can be influenced or forced from outside of the very tight knit, and tight-lipped, communities of Islamic followers, it has to come from within. I believe this man is a pioneer who understands the need for enlightenment, openness and growth. Besides, it’s about time non-Muslims saw Islamic followers as people, not terrorists.