Practice Of Female Circumcision Among Bohra Muslims.

[Conscíous]

Hey Faiyaz and welcome to the forum.. I was also disgusted, when I became aware of this.. Go a head and ask your mom.. And look at her reaction when you tell her how barbaric and outlawed this ritual is

One more thing.. Once a girl is cut, her chemistry has changed.. So keep that in mind, when you thinking of a partner you wanna have fun with

[Bohra spring]

I am so shocked at this barbarism, I really want to ask my mother and my aunts and my cousins what they went through but sadly I cant.

This makes me not want to marry a Dawoodi Bohra girl,

and I take this decision not to marry a Dawoodi bohra in protest.

Fayaz there are several methods of changing this practise...make it unpopular where a girl risks not getting someone she desires hence treat is as a handicap. Hence your approach will scare mums not making their daughters less desirable. This is though discriminatory but an option.

I think the publicity in the media has created a stigma in the society where I have had discussions with an outsider who married a Bohra but only came to know something was a miss later. so where this issue made Bohra women less desirable, and I asked him if he was 20 years old and he was made aware most Bohra girls are circumcised would it affect his decision, he said most likely yes. He said he would ask this as a question during dating as. He would ask if she has had an affair previously.

I asked him would it make a difference if the answer was yes, he said don't know because after 10 years she has been the best wife. But in that 30 mins as a young male 10 years ago when he was scouting and deciding if he wants to go out again for the second date the odds could have changed. It could have gone anyway and he may have dumped her.

One should understand we have biological instincts in choosing our partners, one would want the best possible so why downgrade the market value when one does not need to.

But another harder and effective way is to make this practise seem ridiculous and silly...where it has no religious support, moral support and all this and risk a criminal record.

We may need these 2 or more options to eradicate this practise.

[faiyaz0987]

Welcome to the forum, and sorry but I have to admonish you.

If that's a reason for you not wanting to marry a Bohra girl it's a rather foolish one. These young girls didn't ask for this to happen to them. Your protest is unfair.

If indeed you do marry a Bohra girl and are gifted with a daughter you two could make the intelligent choice and make her forego this ordeal. But condescending all women who've undergone it is narrowminded.

Thank you so much for you warm welcome everyone. I understand that these women have suffered without being given a choice and the blame lies with their parents, but as much as my heart bleeds for these poor souls I dont want to marry a emotional and sexual cripple. I would like a partner who enjoys the act of love as much as I do.
And HELL no one is coming close to touching my daughter in her privates before she is 18, if at all I m blessed with one

[Grayson]

I appreciate you taking my criticism.
Upon further reflecting on your words, I must admit I agree and sympathize with you. Marriage is after all a huge commitment and you should be picky.
However, I sympathize with these women more.
Their are various grades of FGM that are practiced. Some that have minimal to no side effects whereas others are more drastic. Unfortunately it's unlikely we're ever to know which women underwent which type of procedure and to what extent.
From what I've read on the practice, it seems that more than decrease the sexual capacity of a women, less extreme types of FGM (Type I and II that are generally practiced by Muslims who seem to feel it's necessary) minimize a prominent external female erogenous zone.
Being young, I've spoken on this topic often (sex lives of married Bohra friends/siblings/cousins) and none of their sex lives seem to suggest a participant being a sexual cripple (not the women anyway). Indeed there are details I cannot publish, suggesting elsewise. That's likely due to the energy of youth, but I'd venture to guess women aren't completely averse by the prospect.
So I suggest you not be so wary, and get to know your girl and her personality, bohra or not, without worrying (as you're not likely to know before in regards to any woman) about how effectively she receives pleasure.
Ofcourse you could always ask a bohra girl these questions upfront, but it might be a tad bit unwise.

[Rising Star]

I am so shocked at this barbarism, I really want to ask my mother and my aunts and my cousins what they went through but sadly I cant.

This makes me not want to marry a Dawoodi Bohra girl,

and I take this decision not to marry a Dawoodi bohra in protest.

if u really smoke and drink as u have mentioned before, I will be surprised if some bohra will be willing to marry u at first place.

dont feel sorry for girls, they will get deserving candidates.

[faiyaz0987]

You are right Grayson love and compatibility are the true tests.
I was really unaware of such practices. But I would still not like to touch these tainted souls.

Not because I find them unworthy but because i fear that I might cause more damage. Its like a poor child is molested in the younger years and develop a phobia of intimacy and sex as adults. You are right we should be brave enough to discuss such horrible malpractices but I don't think I have the courage or conjure up the language to initiate such a conversation. Plus if they are already traumatized by it, bringing up might just cause more pain.

[Grayson]

Lol relax friend. Neither of us are purely right or wrong. Each of our respective views deserves to be questioned. We should feel free to call each other out without taking things personally.

I think the issue I take with your thoughts rests on the belief that these girls are traumatized and tainted souls. I know (hope) you don't mean it that drastically, but those words are rather strong.
There's no doubt women have gone through an ordeal, but from those I know, I don't think of them as 'traumatized' (they're as arrogant as ever irrespective of FGM). Might've been better if they were a little more tame.

Sexist snark aside, actual molestation and rape compares little with this. I'm not saying there aren't any women that haven't been affected by it; I just feel there's no comparison in the differences of psychological harm.

I could respect your prefrences, but I do disagree with overvictimization (or more accurately, dramatization of their victimization from FGM). I like to believe things aren't that bad for them, and as I've not personally come across an instance suggesting otherwise in regards to this matter, I don't share the same view.

As for bringing it up? I was half joking. Although I'd give you (and her) a lot of credit if you do so with a girl you're still getting to know, and get away with it unscathed.

[faiyaz0987]

if u really smoke and drink as u have mentioned before, I will be surprised if some bohra will be willing to marry u at first place.

dont feel sorry for girls, they will get deserving candidates.

I really smoke and I really drink, and I am really rich and I can pay the money to get a fancy title like a shaikh or something.
Then all girls will want to marry me.

[Al Zulfiqar]

I really smoke and I really drink, and I am really rich and I can pay the money to get a fancy title like a shaikh or something.

mabrouk! you are the perfect candidate to get a (milk) shaikh title. smokers, alcoholics, drug-addicts, fraudsters, embezzlers, crooks, filthy rich and vulgar bohras, all fit well into the elite club of abdes who are awarded and prance around sporting bogus titles.

[ozmujaheed]

The FGM reports of Bohra practising it has finally reached the records of the US State Department

http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/20 ... 204186.htm

American Progs can remind their homeland security the next time a Zada or Muffy applies for a visa!

I am still waiting for Muffy to say something about it,

[badrijanab]

Benefits of circumcision?

1. A decreased risk of urinary tract infections.
2. A reduced risk of sexually transmitted diseases in men.
3. Protection against penile cancer and a reduced risk of cervical cancer in female sex partners.
4. Prevention of balanitis (inflammation of the glans) and balanoposthitis (inflammation of the glans and foreskin).
5. Prevention of phimosis (the inability to retract the foreskin) and paraphimosis (the inability to return the foreskin to its original location).
Source: http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/ ... rcumcision

[ozmujaheed]

PDF printable version of National Summit on Female Genital Mutilation (PDF 210 KB)

Minister Plibersek's speech at the National Summit on Female Genital Mutilation

9 April 2013

Check Against Delivery

Acknowledgements

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Other acknowledgements –

My ministerial colleagues
Senator Kate Lundy, Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Senator Jan McLucas, Minister for Human Services and
Andrew Leigh, Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister who will be joining us later today.
The Hon Dr Kim Hames, Western Australian Minister for Health
Andrew Laming, Federal Member for Bowman, who is representing the Coalition;
Dr Comfort Momoh – from the UK, who is an midwife specialising in FGM and who has worked as an advisor to the WHO on FGM;
Penny Williams, Australia’s Global Ambassador for Women and Girls;
Elizabeth Broderick, Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner;
Professor Chris Baggoley, Chief Medical Officer;
Rosemary Bryant, Commonwealth Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer;
Representatives of medical and health professions, migrant communities, religious communities, and interested groups.
I thank each of you for coming to this National Summit.
Our task today is to agree on refocussing and redoubling our current efforts to protect and support women and girls who are affected by FGM, and to prevent this practice from occurring to a new generation.

This is a difficult and confronting topic.

It is distressing for many and touches on closely held cultural traditions for others.

We are not here today to lay blame or make accusations.

Far from it. We are here to promote healing and protection for girls and women now and in the future.

Last year the Prime Minister asked me to coordinate the Australian Government’s efforts to end the practice of FGM, and to make sure we are doing all we can to support girls and women affected by FGM.

Since then, I have met with a wide range of people - health workers, clinicians, advocates, peer support workers, educators and researchers.

Today’s summit brings many of you together.

This is an impressive group of people - it has a powerful voice, it has reach into our communities, it has influence, expertise, drive and passion.

I want to acknowledge that most of the people here today have been working for many years to highlight the issues around FGM and advocate on behalf of girls and women affected by this practice.

You inspire us, and your leadership will continue to be immensely important.

All mothers - all parents - want the best for their children.

In some communities the practice of FGM on girls and women has become established and accepted, and passed on from one generation to another.

Even mothers and grandmothers have agreed or arranged FGM because they believed their daughters would not be marriageable without it.

Now is the time to end that cycle.

The truth is that Female Genital Mutilation has no benefits, only detriments.

It is an act of discrimination and physical abuse against girls and women, which cannot be condoned or ignored.

Globally, FGM is mostly carried out on young girls sometime between infancy and
age 15.

The World Health Organization defines FGM as "all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons".

WHO estimates 140 million women and girls are affected worldwide.

There are currently no reliable statistics on how many women and girls are affected in Australia.

However, anecdotal evidence suggests that the practice continues to occur in Australia.

The number of cases might be small, but not one single girl in Australia should ever experience FGM.

Not one.

The number of people migrating to Australia from countries which commonly practice FGM is increasing.

As the prevalence of FGM in some of these countries is over 85 per cent this means the number of women with FGM-related health needs, and girls potentially at risk of FGM here in Australia is also likely to rise.

We are not isolated from this issue, and cannot be complacent.

We are compelled as a nation to take action.

I want to talk briefly about one aspect of our efforts to end FGM, and that is our work on the legal framework for responding to FGM.

The Federal Attorney General Mark Dreyfus has been working with his state and territory colleagues to complete a review Australia’s FGM laws.

The aim of the review was to ensure that Australia’s legal framework comprehensively criminalises FGM.

The review examined existing laws to identify areas for improvement and ensure individuals do not escape criminal liability. It also examined the practical operation of Australia’s laws to ensure that police and prosecutors are in the best possible position to detect, investigate and prosecute FGM whenever and wherever it occurs.

What the review found was that State and Territory laws are effective in criminalising FGM, but that there are opportunities to strengthen Australia’s legal framework.

In particular there is room to improve consistency of penalties - which range now from 7 years imprisonment up to 21 years imprisonment. The Australian Government’s model laws recommend a penalty of 15 years imprisonment for performing FGM; and 7 years imprisonment for removing, or making arrangements to remove a person from a jurisdiction for the purpose of having FGM performed.

Reforms are also recommended to extend current laws which protect girls under the age of 18 years, so that they apply to all girls and women, regardless of age.

The review also recommends reforms so that consistent legislation is adopted in all Australian jurisdictions – so that regardless of location, there can be no confusion that performing FGM or removing, or making arrangements to remove a person or the purpose of having FGM performed is a crime.

While our laws effectively criminalise FGM, questions remain around enforcement. Despite being extensively criminalised very few (if any) FGM offences have been successfully prosecuted in Australian courts and there are opportunities to better enforce existing laws.

This could include better cooperation between the health and legal systems.

The Australian Government will continue working with states and territories to push ahead with reforms that are necessary to prosecute and penalise criminal behaviour.

I will also be discussing with Health Ministers opportunities to improve the detection, investigation and prosecution of offences.

Australia is standing strong with the international community in efforts to end FGM overseas.

Last December, Australia co-sponsored an historic United Nations resolution on FGM, calling on all countries to act to eliminate the practice. UN Secretary Ban Ki Moon described the resolution as an important step towards a world free from violence against women.

At least 8000 communities in African nations which have previously practised FGM have listened to the voices of their women and girls and abandoned it.

Women, and men who once thought FGM was important for their girls, now see that it is not central to their beliefs or to their acceptance in the community.

Communities in which FGM is still practiced will become stronger and healthier without it.

The Australian Government’s position is that there is and can be no justification for FGM and it will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

There is no doubt that FGM is a preventable harm and a serious risk to their health.

It has no medical benefits, but has immediate and long term health consequences.

These can include obstetric, gynaecological and mental health problems.

At this Summit you will be reminded a little about the pain, suffering and trauma of some women.

This suffering is entirely avoidable.

Our responsibility is not only to ensure no girl in Australia suffers FGM but to provide support and care for women and girls who have experienced the procedure overseas.

The actions that are being proposed today will build on and coordinate existing efforts being made around the nation.

They will include awareness raising and education activities, prevention and law enforcement efforts, appropriate and culturally sensitive health services and developing the evidence base on FGM in Australia.

Each of you will be asked to support action in areas which you can best influence.

By working together, we can contribute to global efforts to end FGM and support those affected by the practice.

I hope that goal will be at the top of your minds today.

I am confident that we can take a united step forward today – a step that could make all the difference for young girls and women.

[ghulam muhammed]

Benefits of circumcision?



1. A decreased risk of urinary tract infections.

2. A reduced risk of sexually transmitted diseases in men.

3. Protection against penile cancer and a reduced risk of cervical cancer in female sex partners.

4. Prevention of balanitis (inflammation of the glans) and balanoposthitis (inflammation of the glans and foreskin).

5. Prevention of phimosis (the inability to retract the foreskin) and paraphimosis (the inability to return the foreskin to its original location).

Source: http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/ ... rcumcision

Effects of FGM

Immediate consequences of FGM include severe pain and bleeding, shock, difficulty in passing urine, infections, injury to nearby genital tissue and sometimes death. The procedure can result in death through severe bleeding leading to haemorrhagic shock, neurogenic shock as a result of pain and trauma, and overwhelming infection and septicaemia, according to Manfred Nowak, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Almost all women who have undergone FGM experience pain and bleeding as a consequence of the procedure. The event itself is traumatic as girls are held down during the procedure. Risk and complications increase with the type of FGM and are more severe and prevalent with infibulations.

“The pain inflicted by FGM does not stop with the initial procedure, but often continues as ongoing torture throughout a woman’s life”, says Manfred Nowak, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.

In addition to the severe pain during and in the weeks following the cutting, women who have undergone FGM experience various long-term effects - physical, sexual and psychological.

Women may experience chronic pain, chronic pelvic infections, development of cysts, abscesses and genital ulcers, excessive scar tissue formation, infection of the reproductive system, decreased sexual enjoyment and psychological consequences, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Additional risks for complications from infibulations include urinary and menstrual problems, infertility, later surgery (defibulation and reinfibulation) and painful sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse can only take place after opening the infibulation, through surgery or penetrative sexual intercourse. Consequently, sexual intercourse is frequently painful during the first weeks after sexual initiation and the male partner can also experience pain and complications.

When giving birth, the scar tissue might tear, or the opening needs to be cut to allow the baby to come out. After childbirth, women from some ethnic communities are often sown up again to make them “tight” for their husband (reinfibulation). Such cutting and restitching of a woman’s genitalia results in painful scar tissue.

A multi-country study by WHO in six African countries, showed that women who had undergone FGM, had significantly increased risks for adverse events during childbirth, and that genital mutilation in mothers has negative effects on their newborn babies. According to the study, an additional one to two babies per 100 deliveries die as a result of FGM.

Read the WHO collaborative study on FGM and obstetric outcome

http://www.endfgm.eu/en/female-genital- ... ts-of-fgm/

[Qutbi-Hero]

Female circumcision is clearly wrong, but then why is male circumcision okay?

[Ozdundee]

Note the petition is growing

http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/h ... par-khatna

http://www.figo.org/news/bohra-woman-le ... ion-009000

What is troubling we have several sisters who are asking for reformists to do something , I wonder whether they are taking the FGM issue as seriously as expected.

I am fighting it as a dad and my wife as a mother and victim herself to protect my 2 daughters who will be targeted for fgm in few years, I will fight any or family, societal pressure to the end and make sure Bohra society does not ever discriminate them when they openly state they are not mutilated when they are teenagers and if by God an , Bensaheb, Amil or Zada get in the way when they are marrying or prevented from being considered a Bohra, I will move mountains to create so much trouble they will regret it that they have messed with an army the full force of the defence, legal and media will be unleashed on their illegal activities, I am fully prepared for that day.

but what about the rest?

Someone stated walk the walk ? This is my walk the talk.

[Bohra spring]

Reformist and well wishes sign the petition..only 108 supporters required before the petition is formerly presented to Mansoos ...this will be with a lot of fanfare and media attemtion.

[ghulam muhammed]

The surgeon helping women after genital mutilation

In Barcelona, a doctor offers reconstructive surgery to women of African origin who were subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) as children - but some experts say the operation cannot possibly work, and undermines the campaign to prevent FGM being carried out in the first place.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23287032

[Ozdundee]

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7637&p=114915#p114915

[Ozdundee]

PDF printable version of $1 Million to help end femaile genital mutilation in Australia (PDF 97 KB)

21 July 2013

The Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek, today announced $1 million for 15 new projects aimed at ending female genital mutilation (FGM) in Australia.

Ms Plibersek said the new projects will target issues including the prevalence of FGM, its effect on childbirth, cultural sensitivities, and education for young male migrants.

“FGM is illegal in Australia,” Ms Plibersek said.

“The Federal Government’s clear position is that FGM is never justified and that it will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

“There is no doubt that FGM is a preventable harm and a serious risk to women’s health.

“It has no medical benefits, but has immediate and long term health consequences, including obstetric, gynaecological and mental health problems.

“I congratulate the project leaders on their commitment to act on FGM.

“It is important, challenging work on a difficult and often distressing subject.

“This work is about promoting healing and protection for girls and women now and in the future.

“The projects will focus on raising awareness in affected communities, training health professionals, and gathering more information on FGM in Australia.

“Last April, I convened a National Summit that brought together health experts, community representatives and Australian governments, resulting in a National Compact on FGM.

“The Government’s support for these projects is part of the action we’re taking in line with the Compact.”

Last December, the Government announced $500,000 for the grants. As a result of an overwhelming response from organisations wanting to act on FGM, the Government doubled funding to $1 million.

The Federal Government has been working with states and territories to ensure that police and prosecutors are in the best possible position to detect, investigate, and prosecute FGM whenever and wherever it occurs.

“Australia is also standing strong with the international community in efforts to end FGM overseas,” Ms Plibersek said.

Last December, Australia co-sponsored a historic United Nations resolution on FGM, calling on all countries to act to eliminate the practice. UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, described the resolution as an important step towards a world free from violence against women.

There is anecdotal evidence that FGM does occur in Australia. However, there are currently no reliable statistics on how many women and girls are affected.

The World Health Organisation estimates 140 million women and girls are affected worldwide.

For all media inquiries, please contact the Minister's Office on 02 6277 7220

Project Name Lead Organisation Brief Description
Mama Na Mwana Wellness Project African Women’s Council of Australia Developing a wellness program to raise awareness of FGM and associated issues with African women and girls in safe traditional environments, to support the abandonment of FGM.
National Education Toolkit for FGM Awareness Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health Developing a national website for FGM awareness and a centralised mechanism for networking; a national standard framework for FGM resources and sharing of resources; a best practice guide for community development program; and convening a national forum of FGM service providers.
Respectful Dialogues Project Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights Developing a guide to assist in the representation and reporting of FGM in Australia. Aimed at journalists and other relevant professionals.
Continuing Professional Development module on FGM for Health Professionals University of Sydney Developing an on-line/ CD ROM continuing professional development (CPD) module to assist health professionals diagnose FGM, discuss the topics and provide accurate information and management.
FGM in Children – Prevalence, Incidence and Child Health Specialist Knowledge and Attitudes Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit Undertaking research on the prevalence (over the last 5 years), the knowledge, attitudes and practice of child health workers and a 2 year national surveillance study to estimate the incidence of FGM.
National FGM Service Coordination Guide for GPs and Primary Health Care Providers Family Planning VIC A national expansion of an existing Victorian FGM service coordination guide for GPs and other primary health care providers.
National expansion of A Tradition in transition: FGM Family Planning VIC A national expansion of an existing Victorian resource, focused on demographic data of communities by LGA’s nationwide (along with the literature review in relation to FGM in the western context and information on national and international prevention programs).
Our Voices: Filling the Gaps African Women Australia Training of community spokespersons; undertaking community education with dialogues between older and younger women from FGM practising communities; and holding a national seminar led by community leaders targeting professionals and service providers, providing them with a deeper understanding of FGM.
FGM Knowledge Exchange for Nurses and Midwives Australian College of Nurses Developing an on-line knowledge exchange centre and network, with a CPD focus targeting nurses and midwives and other relevant professions. Involves collating and disseminating information on existing CPD, other resources and info exchanges in a national centralised hub
Scoping and Development of FGM CPD Family Planning NSW Scoping and development of a CPD program for health professionals. Includes a training needs assessment, competency and module development, piloting and evaluation and course accreditation.
Supporting Young Women Who Have Experiences FGM Mercy Public Hospital Engaging a culturally and generationally appropriate worker to work with young women from affected communities to determine ways to develop age appropriate services. Involves qualitative research, based on interview/workshops with young women, analysis of the findings and sharing of project learnings.
Feasibility Study for a National FGM Data Collection Family Planning NSW Undertaking a feasibility study to develop a national data collection on FGM. Involves consultations, a review of existing data collections and international best practice, developing a draft collection tool and piloting in NSW FP clinics. The project also aims to estimate the prevalence of FGM based on the review of existing data.
Improving the Evidence to Inform the Heath System’s Response to FGM University of Sydney Researching the prevalence of FGM and obstetric outcomes of African women at Auburn Hospital from 2000-2012, using an existing obstetric database. Also involves interviewing midwives on socio-cultural
issues that impede FGM data collection and
strategies to address the issues.
FGM in Regional Australia: Research into Practice University of Melbourne Undertaking research with affected communities and service providers in regional Victoria to build evidence on knowledge and attitudes on FGM, service needs, and CPD needs. It also includes developing and piloting a workforce training initiative to address the service needs in regional Victoria.
Targeted FGM Education Campaign for Young Migrant Males James Cook University A targeted education campaign on FGM for young migrant males

[Bohra spring]

Last December, Australia co-sponsored a historic United Nations resolution on FGM, calling on all countries to act to eliminate the practice. UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, described the resolution as an important step towards a world free from violence against women.

What is the significance of this milestone to abdes ?

[ghulam muhammed]

“A Tiny Cut”: Female Circumcision in South East Asia

While there is a much debate about FGC as experienced in the African continent, the literature on the subject generally disregards the ritual as practiced in Southeast Asia. Some scholars contend that when Islam spread to Southeast Asia in the 13th century, female cutting was also introduced to the region. However, there exists scarce literature on the beginnings of FGC in this area. The most informative source on the incidence of FGC in Southeast Asia can be found in a chapter of a recent anthology about Muslim women’s rights. The chapter details the history of the practice based on local reports dating from the colonial Dutch East Indies and contemporary sociological and anthropological research.

There exists no convincing evidence that any form of FGC predated the spread of Islam to the region. In fact,, Hindu and Buddhist beliefs prevailed in Southeast Asia before Islam and the followers of both faiths reject both male and female circumcision. Further, some 19th century syncretist Muslims in Java rejected FGC as well, considering it an ‘Arab custom’. However, most of the population declared it to be optional. The royal families of Java also employed a non-Arabic word for FGC such as kres or tetesan (‘pricking’). Among the orthodox Muslims, the term sunat perempuan [/i]or khitan perempuan (‘female circumcision’) is more commonly used, until today.

Photographs taken by Stephanie Sinclair in 2006 of a mass sunat perempuan ceremony in Bandung, Indonesia, were published in 2008 and surfaced again late last year, making public a ritual that usually takes place behind closed doors. Her pictures show girls ranging from nine months to nine years of age undergoing the ritual as done by a team of middle-aged women. The sunat, as described, involved cutting of a piece of the clitoral hood (the size of a “nail clipping”) using a sterilised pair of scissors.

In Malaysia, a university survey of 1000 respondents found that over 90 percent of Muslim women reported being circumcised. A study in Kelantan found that all of the women in the labour ward had undergone FGC. In Indonesia, the figure is upwards of 86 percent, with 90 percent of adults supporting it. In her study of southern Thailand, Claudia Merli applies the same description to the province of Satun, because of cultural and regional proximity to Malaysia and Indonesia. However, there have been no surveys done in Singapore. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the incidence today is much lower than in Malaysia or Indonesia.

Various reasons are offered for female circumcision, for example, to keep “clean”; to “purify the genitals and bestow gender identity”; to “control women’s sexual urges”; because women can only be beautiful if chaste; to help them not be “as wild”; to make them “more beautiful in the eyes of their husband”; or to make the latter “more excited in bed”. In Singapore, some of the older generations point out that the reason that some young women are “wild” today is because they are not circumcised. Others also argue that there is neither much harm nor pain because of the very small amount of flesh that is removed (described as the size of a nail clipping, a quarter-grain of rice, a guava seed, a bean, the tip of a leaf, or the head of a needle). They also stress the importance of supposedly avoiding the clitoris. A midwife known for cutting away “too much” flesh might be boycotted

The overwhelming majority of Muslims in Southeast Asia follow the Shafii school of law, which declares FGC as wajib, or obligatory. In contrast, the other three Sunni schools, together with the Shia schools, consider FGC a sunnah or a recommended act. Just like male circumcision, there is no mention of it in the Quran. The form of FGC taking place in Southeast Asia seems to follow this general and gender-neutral rule from al-Nawawi to remove the prepuce at a young age, but also at an older age if it causes no ‘harm’. This ruling is found in his chapter on taharah or purity, indicating that the concern was for the cleanliness of the genitals, especially the area under the prepuce, and consequent validity of acts of worship. Indeed, about half of the reasons mentioned above by midwives and parents for the practice reflects a concern for hygiene.

With regards to hadith, or Prophetic sayings, there is much debate on which are considered authentic, and therefore authoritative enough to be taken as a source of law. The most commonly-cited hadith (here) mentioning circumcision has been used to both promote and discourage FGC. Other hadith that mention circumcised parts (here and here) are also making a larger point about purifying one’s body after sexual intercourse, but not necessarily ordaining circumcision. Other hadith whose authenticity cannot be confirmed variously urge to not “cut deeply”, “abuse”, “cut into”, or “exceed the limit”, but instead to “trim”, “reduce the size of the clitoris”, or to “cut off only the foreskin”.

In short, there is no fully authentic text in which the Prophet Mohammad required or recommended the circumcision of women any more than the circumcision of men. There may have been FGC in the Prophet’s society, but there was no equivocal ban on it. This type of minimal FGC as practised in Southeast Asia has also been identified as the ‘mild’ type of cutting found in early Islamic societies, which was aimed to protect women’s “dignity and well-being” or make her “honourable”. Thus, it is dangerously framed as the ‘real’ or ‘most Islamic’ FGC.

However, most Muslims do not make a direct link between their everyday actions and textual evidence, learning instead from our immediate forefathers the rituals, symbols, and acts that make us Muslim (or not). For example, we pray by first imitating movements from our parents or other authority figures in our lives and often only learn the significance of the words and movements when we are older. Likewise, while FGC may have started in Southeast Asia as an “Arab custom”, today it is a religious norm that parents seek for their children, because everyone else in the family or in the village has done it, for generations.

In 2008, the Ministry of Health in Malaysia reported that 88 percent of their female staff had their daughters circumcised by doctors in the private practice. Another study in Indonesia revealed that 65 percent of FGC was performed in hospitals. In Singapore, a woman Muslim doctor admits to “circumcising five to six patients a day”, mostly babies and prepubescent children.

In late 2006, the Ministry of Health in Indonesia banned doctors from performing the procedure based on the grounds that it was “potentially harmful”, but this ban was not enforced. Hospitals continue to offer sunat perempuan for baby girls, sometimes as part of “birth packages” which also included vaccinations and ear piercing. Yayasan Assalaam, an Islamic foundation that runs a mosque and several schools, also links the practice to celebrating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, and even provides incentives like money and food to parents who bring their daughters to their annual sunat ceremony.

In Malaysia, the Fatwa Committee of Malaysia’s National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs ruled in 2009 that female circumcision, was “obligatory for Muslims but if harmful must be avoided”. More recently, in Indonesia, the Indonesian Council of Ulema ruled in favour of female circumcision and added that although it cannot be considered mandatory, it is still “morally recommended”. The leader of this council however warned to avoid “excesses” in the removal or cutting of the clitoris — a position supported by the hadith mentioned earlier. A similar advice is given by the Islamic Religious Authority of Singapore on their website.

The trend towards medicalisation is also worrying because while it may reduce pain and struggling, it would also allow for a deeper or more severe excision – as was being promoted in a village in south Thailand by some missionaries from India.

http://www.theislamicmonthly.com/a-tiny ... east-asia/

[Bohra spring]

With the public pressure has this practise reduced in India and especially Australia ?

Any updates what here reformist were ultimately successful in reducing the need for such a ritual

[Ozdundee]

I am happy and pleased to see the new manifesto released by the eminent scholars attempt abolish FGM for once and for good. I believe other reformists such as stopfgm and others should feel happy and relieved their contribution and everyones even small objection counted drop by drop .

Banning is still stage one the next is to ensure it is not practiced at all just like how mankind stopped polio.

[Reporter]

The Guardian of UK has today (Feb 5, 2014) launched a campaign to end female genital mutilation (FGM). The campaign is being led by Fahma Mohamed, a 17-year-old student, who is urging Michael Gove, the education secretary, to write to the leaders of all primary and secondary schools, urging them to flag up the dangers of FGM before the summer holidays, when girls are at the greatest risk. A Guardian leader explains: "After discussions with campaigners and among communities where it is practised, it became clear that an education programme delivered through every school in the country could provide the breakthrough in cultural attitudes that could make a real difference. We want everyone to be aware that FGM is illegal." While FGM is banned, it's very much alive in the UK. A senior police officer has appealed for information about the "cutters" who carry out female genital mutilation on young girls. You can watch the campaign video here, sign the petition and find out what can you do to end FGM. And you can find out more information about the campaign here.

http://www.theguardian.com/end-fgm?CMP=EMCSOCEML657

[Ozdundee]

The Australian state government has announced that the maximum sentence for the offence will be increased from seven years to 21 years.

In addition, taking someone overseas to undergo the procedure will become an offence, also attracting a maximum sentence of 21 years.

Doctor Eman Sharobeem is the president of the Immigrant Women's Health Service.

Doctor Sharobeem has told Santilla Chingaipe, the announcement sends a tough message that FGM is wrong.

Are we not baffled by silence of the intellectuals in our community both locally and globally to distance themselves from this practise. This sends a message to people in corridors of powers that the Bohra Community whether be orthodox or progressives to stubbornly and arrogantly demonstrate reluctance to proactively eradicate this abhorrent practise. The government could not seat back and watch and has stepped in to govern the situation.

It is noted that 3 people of prominence took a stand and this was also a personal one rather than official position ie Ali Asgar Engineer, and the 2 eminent scholars. The ramifications of this broader neglect is going to affect the long term standing of the community in society for years.

[SBM]

Genital Mutilation Is Anti-Circumcision
By: Rabbi Allen S. Maller


Female genital excision has been banned in Egypt since 2008. Now, for the first time, a doctor is about to stand trial for carrying out the procedure, with a court date set for April 24, 2014 in Aga.

Human rights organizations fought for prosecution in this case, believing that the death of a thirteen year old girl last June offered the chance for a precedent-setting verdict against an ingrained custom, which supporters generally refer to as female circumcision.

It is totally false to compare the custom of female genital mutilation to the religious practice of male circumcision.

First, while there are great medical benefits from removal of the foreskin of a male, especially in reducing the spread of HIV; there is no medical benefit to a female from the removal of her clitoris and labia.

In Africa, Jewish and Muslim men have much lower rates of AIDS than uncircumcised Christian men.

Second, there is no evidence that female genital mutilation promotes chastity and preserves a woman's virtue. Having a considerate, loving and faithful husband does much more to promote a woman's virtue than female genital mutilation.

Third, male circumcision is a religious requirement; female genital mutilation is only a tribal custom, originating in sub Sahara Africa; which is now being spread by religious extremists to Asia and the West as part of a reaction against the rising rate of girls going to school and woman going to work outside the home.

Evidence that female genital mutilation is a only a custom comes from the fact that in rural Egypt even Coptic Christians mutilate their daughters genitals.

Also female genital mutilation had been denounced by all the major Islamic scholars in the Muslim world.

Finally, male circumcision is derived from the God inspired practice of Abraham and Muhammad.

God said to Abraham (Genesis 17:7): "I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you...

(8-12) "And I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan, for a perpetual holding; and I will be their God. And God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised.

"You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. Throughout your generations every male among you shall be circumcised when he is eight days old,"

And Allah ordered Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to follow the religion of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). When Allah said (Qur'an 16:123) "Then We inspired you: 'Follow the religion of Ibrahim, the upright in Faith'." And part of the religion of Ibrahim is, as is evident from the verses cited above, to practice circumcision.

Abraham was an old man when he circumcised himself, thus becoming a good example that one is never to old to do God's will. As a Hadith says: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: " Prophet Ibrahim circumcised himself when he was eighty years old and he circumcised himself with an axe." (Related by Bukhari, Muslim & Ahmad.)

Abraham's first born son Ishmael, was a young boy when he was circumcised, so Muslims do not have to circumcise their son's on an exact date. A Hadith states: When Ibn Abbas was asked "How old were you when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) died?" He replied, "At that time I had been circumcised. At that time people did not circumcise boys till they attained the age of puberty (Baligh)." (Bukhari)

Prophet Muhammad himself selected the 7th day after birth to circumcise his own grandsons: Abdullah Ibn Jabir and Aisha both said: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) performed the Aqiqah of al-Hasan and al-Hussein (the prophets grandsons) circumcising them on the 7th. Day." (Related in al-Bayhaq & Tabarani)

Thus, for Jews circumcision is a sign of the covenant that God made with Abraham and his sons Ishmael and Isaac and their descendants for future generations.

For Muslims it is a sign or their close connection to Abraham which is also celebrated each year at the annual Hajj ceremonies.

For both Muslims and Jews it is a sign that one who submits to God's commandments and covenant cannot expect a life without some pain and suffering. When endured for the right reasons it always leads eventually to great spiritual benefits.

Female genital mutilation is the exact opposite of circumcision both medically and religiously.
*****
Rabbi Allen S. Maller retired after serving for 39 years as Rabbi of Temple Akiba in Culver City, California. His web site isÊrabbimaller.com

[Ozdundee]

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7637&p=134505#p134505

[Ozdundee]

More news

http://www.skynews.com.au/news/local/sy ... girls.html

News being picked by up by UK media

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... k-law.html

[Ozdundee]

More media runs

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7637&p=134665#p134665

[Bohra spring]

There regular trolls please do not try to derail the topic or the importance of the impact of the issue facing the community.

There are many lady regular and popular commenters who visit this site who represent both orthodox and reformist sides of views in other discussions Especially Nafisaben , Saminaben, Umme52 and others who may not be obvious from their alias.

The question is they may have personal views about how this ritual impacts them more directly can they comment what is their position. Do they see themselves as victims or beneficiary , do they wish this practise to continue or if it was not obligatory would they want to see it stopped ?

Also the regular commenters eg , Mkenya, Humsfar, S Insaf, , Anajmi, Max, Adam , Muslim First, and many many others what their views are if they have not yet ever commented on this as they may be impacted as fathers, husbands, or brothers of women undergone fgm.