A clear example of this is that that one of the various groups in kenya who do not practice fgm are the muslims, although it is a. Ahmed not only denied islams sanctioning of fgm in honor diaries, claiming, falsely, female genital mutilation is not advocated in islam in any way shape or form, during her march. Making excuses for islam and fgm heathers homilies. Sexual desires and female genital mutilation in islamin the name of allah, the most gracious, the most merciful. Female circumcision is a very important health problem affecting about 140 million people all around the world. Islam and female genital mutilation fgm courting the law. The case of female genital mutilation or female circumcision, published in 20, several fatwas condemning fgm, among them one by the late sheikh of the egyptian al azhar muhammad. The communities that practice fgm call it pagsunnat, sometimes pagislam, and include tausugs of mindanao, yakan of basilan and other muslim communities of philippines. Female genital mutilation fgm is a form of violence. However fgm is not recommended by any religion or in any religious texts. Pdf the islamic view on female circumcision researchgate. Pdf the history of islam had not itself been previously confronted with. Essay about female genital mutilation in islam 1608 words. There is a classic saying, a civilization is judged by how it treats its weakest members.
The practice is found in africa, asia and the middle east, and within communities from countries in which fgm is common. Fgm was unheard of in asia before islam came to the region in the th century. Jun 23, 2014 the muslim council of britain, the countrys largest muslim organisation, has condemned the practice of female genital mutilation as unislamic and told its members that fgm risks bringing their. In an effort, however, to clarify the islamic worldview and dispel a number of misconceptions surrounding islam s position on women, the remainder of this paper discusses in detail the common objections leveled against islam regarding the issue of female genital mutilation fgm. In her latest blog 28 too many volunteer nigeen dara investigates the islamic view on fgm to increase understanding and challenge harmful misconceptions about the practice. Delinking female genital mutilationcutting from islam 28 too many. Digital issueread online or download a pdf of this issue. Gomaa a 20 the islamic view on female circumcision. Moreover, recent data reveal that it occurs on a much larger scale than previously thought. Pdf female genital mutilation fgm is a very ancient traditional and cultural ritual. Female genital mutilation cannot be defended as part of islam. Religious views on female genital mutilation wikipedia.
An analysis of female circumcision according to islamic law. Grassroots organisations working in the gambia have been working with religious leaders and religious schools to change peoples mindset over the misperceived link between islam and fgm. All types of female genital mutilation performed by anyone, in whatever capacity, are prohibited. In fact it is not a condition of belonging to any faith group. Islams is the only religion that mentions fgm in its sacred texts. May 09, 2016 unicef is committed to doing all it can to achieve the sustainable development goals sdgs, in partnership with governments, civil society, business, academia and the united nations family and especially children and young people. There seems to be or based on primary sources that others cant easily check. He goes on to insist there is no link between islam and fgm, and anyone who says there is, is an islamophobe. The studies showed that there is a fear of women running wild and becoming promiscuous if they are not circumcised and infibulated. Qasim rashid, visiting fellow at harvard universitys prince alwaleed bin talal school of islamic studies, wrote in a huffpost blog post in 2014 that fgm predates islam, christianity and judaism. Islam as regards the practice and to communicate this to religious leaders from the islamic communities practicing fgmc. The jewish and christian view on female genital mutilation.
While medicalization is concentrated in africa, health professionals worldwide. A muslim male is usually circumcised at an early age as this is a religious obligation among muslims. Female genital mutilation is not present in palestine. Sexual desires and female genital mutilation in islam. Female genital cuttingmutilation fgmc performed by health care professionals medicalization and reduced severity of cutting have been advanced as strategies for minimizing health risks, sparking acrimonious ongoing debates. One of the most controversial topics is female genital mutilation in religion and more commonly within islam. Female genital mutilation religious, cultural and legal myths. Religious views on female genital mutilationarchive 1. I am often asked what my perspective is with regards to female genital mutilation or more commonly known as female circumcision within the islamic world. In societies where illiteracy and poverty prevail and where women are taught to believe that fgm is universal, the justification for fgm is a reality of life for the women where its practice. Muslim council of britain says female genital mutilation is.
Female genital mutilation religious, cultural and legal myths in the interest of muslim communities worldwide and in the uk in particular, the islamic cultural centre and the london central mosque have collaborated with the foundation for women. Unicef is committed to doing all it can to achieve the sustainable development goals sdgs, in partnership with governments, civil society, business, academia and the united nations family and especially children and young people. Like many other articles it does not comment on why there are those men within islam strongly advocating fgm as. Female genital mutilation is prevalent in parts of the philippines. Any person who performs female genital mutilation of any form whatsoever, shall be punished by imprisonment of six 06 months and three 03 years and a fine of one hundred thousand 100,000 to two million 2,000,000 francs. Fgm in the context of islam 3 confusion about and weakness of the narrator, mohammad ibn hassan al kufy. Fgm precedes all major religions as it was a practice that first started in pharaonic egypt. He the narrator is mohammad ibn said who was cruci. Christianity, judaism and islam unanimously agree that your body is.
Muslim leaders have delinked the islamic religion from female genital mutilation saying the act is not only criminal but also sinful. Female genital mutilation often referred to as fgm is a destructive operation, during which the female genitals are partly or entirely removed or. Female genital mutilation fgm is a practice involving the removal of all or parts of the female external genitalia. Fgm depends on the traditions practiced by communities, rather than on the religion of a community group for example, in the niger 55% of christians are affected by fgm, compared to 2% of muslims. A 2011 united nations report states that over 4,100 religious leaders have taught followers that fgm is not sanctioned by islam, and nearly 1,000 religious edicts called on muslims to end cutting.
A clear example of this is that that one of the various groups in kenya who do not practice fgm are the muslims, although it is a country whose people are known to practice it. Christianity, judaism and islam unanimously agree that your body is a temple of god. Jul 18, 20 a very good article for as far as it goes. Female genital mutilation religious, cultural and legal. Female genital mutilation often referred to as fgm is a destructive operation, during which the female genitals are partly or entirely removed or injured with the aim of inhibiting a womans sexual feelings. Through research i have found the following to confirm that fgm, sometimes referred to as female circumcision, is indeed a. Female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation cutting, fgmc is deeply rooted in the history of many nations and peoples. Like many other articles it does not comment on why there are those men within islam strongly advocating fgm as opposed to those men and women advocating.
Id prefer not to get involved with editing the religious views on female genital mutilation, but i hope youll consider rechecking the sources there. On international day of zero tolerance for fgm, we cant stay frozen. Apr 25, 2017 however, when it spread to other parts of the world it was via islam. Imam shafii is one of those who say that fgm is an obligation, that girls and women should be circumcised if i get asked about the religious ruling on fgm i must keep my silence and not dare to open my mouth. Fgmc and islam, arguing that there is no religious.
It is implicity mentioned in the quran if you doubt this then please read on and in at least. Female genital mutilation in islam female circumcision is a practice not uncommon in muslim society. Muslim leaders delink islam from female genital mutilation. Needless to say, for taking a razor blade to its daughters most tender and vulnerable parts, islam should be judged quite harshly. Female genital mutilation download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Fgm is not practiced by all muslims and has been wrongly associated with islam. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a global concern.
It is also prohibited to compel an individual to undertake this operation. Fgm is an act of terrorism not an act of islam huffpost. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. May 08, 2018 muslim leaders have delinked the islamic religion from female genital mutilation saying the act is not only criminal but also sinful. In an effort, however, to clarify the islamic worldview and dispel a number of misconceptions surrounding islams position on women, the remainder of this paper discusses in detail the common objections leveled against islam regarding the issue of female genital mutilation fgm. But there is a bit more to islams tendency to mutilate than only fgm. Delinking female genital mutilation cutting from islam. However, when it spread to other parts of the world it was via islam. Islamic relief canada would like to thank the following people who advised on. Nov 12, 2019 islams is the only religion that mentions fgm in its sacred texts. Pdf facts and controversies on female genital mutilation and islam. It is not religious but might have become symbolic in some communities as a demonstration of faith.
One such myth both espouse is the fabrication that islam endorses female genital mutilation, also known as fgm or infibulations. This study summarizes key debates and critically assesses supporting evidence. This booklet is a humble effort to clarify the truth about islam and the practice of fgmc by critically examining the evidence cited by supporters of the practice, especially those who describe it as an islamic practice. Delinking female genital mutilation cutting from islam unfpa.
Fgm is bringing the religion of islam into disrepute. Despite predating islam and christianity many people believe fgm to be a religious practice. Fgm debate continues in muslim lands gatestone institute. Between the incorrect use of science and the misunderstood doctrine. There is a popular retort in regards to fgm female gential mutilation that fgm is not mentioned or sanctioned in the foundation of islam.
Delinking female genital mutilationcutting from islam. Not only is it practiced among communities in africa and the middle east, but also in immigrant communities throughout the world. Female genital mutilation has been reported to occur. Unicef with christian and islamic leaders in egypt release. The muslim council of britain, the countrys largest muslim organisation, has condemned the practice of female genital mutilation as unislamic. The islamic view on female circumcision sciencedirect.
Personally, i have no time for the argument that fgm has nothing to do with islam. Fear of islam should not enable female genital mutilation. Deputy chief kadhi rashid ali omar said there is a difference. Fgm is practised predominantly within certain muslim societies, but it also exists within some adjacent christian and animist groups. Female genital mutilation has no known health benefits. Its time to end fgm chad mannequin challenge unicef usa.
Including religious leaders in end female genital mutilation fgm efforts has been vital to addressing the harmful practice. As soon as i utter that fgm is good then they can arrest me. Fgm and islams mutilation of everything jihad watch. Click download or read online button to get female genital mutilation book now. There is a mistaken belief that the debate on fgmc is a new one, but this is not the case. Further, in that part of the world, it is only muslim communities that practice it. In islam it is forbidden to mutilate the body, in this sense female genital mutilation is condemnable as it irreversibly harms the woman. Although this practice does not only occur within muslim society, this paper will focus on the practices that do occur within islamic society. In her latest blog 28 too many volunteer nigeen dara investigates the islamic view on fgm to increase understanding and challenge. If the islamic law does not mandate female genital mutilation and tolerates only the most mild form of circumcision and that only if it produces no adverse effects in the child, then how does it come about that so many people from certain countries with large muslim populations insist that savage acts which exceed these limits are not only.
Extremists ascribing to islam and antiislam extremists may passionately hate each other but both agree on much. Female genital mutilation or cutting fgm c, also known as fgm c, is practiced in at least 28 countries of subsaharan africa, a few countries in the middle east and asia, and among immigrant populations from these countries in europe, north america, and australia. The practice isnt required by most forms of islam, and fatwas have been issued forbidding fgm, favouring it, or leaving the decision to parents but advising against it. Female genital mutilation or cutting fgmc, also known as fgmc, is practiced in at least 28 countries of subsaharan africa, a few countries in the middle east and asia, and among immigrant populations from these countries in europe, north america, and australia.
Female genital mutilation world health organization. The communities that practice fgm call it pagsunnat, sometimes pag islam, and include tausugs of mindanao, yakan of basilan and other muslim communities of philippines. Knowledge and perspectives of female genital cutting among the. Fear of islam should not enable female genital mutilation inside the united states the politics surrounding fgm has resulted in deafening silence on this issue, especially from the left and. Muhammed munir a professor at the department of law at the international islamic university of pakistan lists in a paper on islamizing custom or customizing islam. Most often, fgm supporters cite a hadith recorded by imam abu dawud. Download fulltext pdf the islamic view on female circumcision article pdf available in african journal of urology 193. It has been documented in 28 african countries and in some countries in asia and the middle east, but due to increasing immigration from these countries to the western world, fgm has become a worldwide human rights and health issue. Thanks to unicef chad for the most powerful mannequin challenge video yet. Delinking female genital mutilationcutting from islam ibrahim lethome asmani maryam sheikh abdi 2008 this publication is made possible by the generous support of the american people through the united states agency for international development usaid under the terms of cooperative agreement no.
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