Pornography in the Middle East

Overview of pornography in the Middle East

Pornography in the Middle East has been somewhat minimally documented and researched by scholars.

Though broadcast of and internet access to pornography is restricted[1][2] or banned in many countries in the region, widespread access to pornography is available via satellite dishes.[3]

In Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and almost all other countries in the Middle East, pornography is illegal.[4] However, due to widespread Internet access (in particular, downloading programs) and the existence of a large-scale black market in Western films, a law in Iran was passed in mid-2007 by parliament but still required approval of the Guardian Council, producers of pornographic films face execution if found guilty.[5]

Pornography is readily available for users in a handful of Middle Eastern nations, such as Lebanon, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Israel; and the production of pornography is also legal within Turkey, Azerbaijan and Israel; to the exception of Iran where it is illegal to be produced, consumed, and sold or distributed even if easily available through the internet.[6][7][8]

In September 2011, A Syrian-Lebanese gang involved in promoting pornographic movies was arrested by the Lebanese general security forces, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. The group sold the films on DVDs to minors in various regions in Lebanon.[9][10]

## See also

[edit]

* Pornography in Turkey
* The East is Blue

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Gardner, Frank (10 May 2000). "Saudis 'defeating' internet porn". BBC News.
2. ^ "Lebanese Internet providers to block porn websites". The Daily Star. 1 September 2014. Archived from the original on 17 October 2021.
3. ^ Clark-Flory, Tracy (27 September 2010). "Unveiling the Middle East's sex industry". Salon. Archived from the original on 28 November 2011.
4. ^ "7 countries where porn is illegal | Pulse Nigeria". www.pulse.ng. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
5. ^ Walker, Kenly. "Death Penalty For Porn In Iran?". CBS News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
6. ^ "Türk Ceza Kanunu" (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 7 May 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
7. ^ "Sex in Azerbaijan". Archived from the original on 16 August 2003.
8. ^ "Pornography". The Times of Israel.
9. ^ "Ring Promoting Porn Films Arrested". Naharnet. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
10. ^ "Authorities arrest Syrian-Lebanese porn gang". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2014.

## External links

[edit]

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