Her brother likely had intimates with her too. Its the ancient Mesopotamian and Arab way:
According to the codes of honor—religious and otherwise, strict rules of separation between the sexes are observed among traditionary groups. Yet,
maximum exposure is allowed among siblings. It is common, sometimes the rule, for brothers and sisters to share the same bed or at least the sleeping quarters; this practice—often due to economic restrictions—starts in childhood and continues to the age
of puberty, or the time of marriage and occasionally beyond it.
Consequently, a brother and sister develop a sense of dependency on each other for warmth and security. A child
usually learns about the anatomy of the opposite sex through observing a sibling during such routine activities as performing toilet functions, bathing changing clothes play or sleep which are performed mostly away from adults. A child also experiences peer-to-peer relationships with a member of the opposite sex through
these very activities. While a boy or a girl—in particular—are strictly prohibited from having a physical contact of any sort (or even ‘romantic love’) with a peer of the opposite sex, such affectionate
activities as tickling, embracing, hair combing, and hand holding, are considered normal between brother and sister and are tolerated. Incestuous tendencies often underlie the brother-sister relationship. However, a common belief that typically “Flesh will not be
(sexually) attracted to the same flesh,” and the notion that children do not have sexual drives until they have developed the physical signs of puberty
guide the adults’ tolerance.
The Brother-Sister Syndrome in Arab Family Life
Socio-cultural Factors in Arab Psychiatry:
a Critical Revie By Hasan El-Shamy
Indiana University
Thanks for the horrific reminders; thanks for the information. Thread BUMP!