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May 13, 2005
Gambian Muslim Leader: Female Genital Mutilation "An Honor"
Topics: Understanding IslamFemale genital cutting(mutilation or FGM)is practiced by Muslims
and non-Muslims(mostly Muslims - how many Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists or Janists do you know or have ever read of that condone this barbaric procedure?) alike residing mainly in
Sub-Saharan Africa in countries that include
but are not limited to Egypt, Sudan, Somalia,
Ethiopia, Kenya and Chad. A more minor form of
the procedure is also performed in some parts
of the Middle East and South Asia. Degrees of mutilation exist ranging from excision of the
hood of the clitoris or clitoris itself to
complete infibulation which involves removal
of the clitoris, labia minora and labia majora,
leaving a small opening for the passage of
urine and menstrual blood.
As you might expect from the description of the procedure, normal
sexual intercourse is not possible without a
corrective procedure(you can only hope) and childbirth frequently
involves severe trauma that can result in
life-threatening hemorrhage. Other
complications include chronic urinary tract
and other infections, infertility,
psychological trauma, sexual dysfunction,
menstrual problems and several other negative
medical and emotional outcomes. The procedure
is performed on girls between the ages of
infancy and pre-adolescence and is either
carried out by a physician, midwife or
designated woman from the community. Lack of
sterile technique, use of the same instruments
on more than one child, and lack of anesthesia
all contribute to the complication rate which
can even include infection with HIV.
Yet Alhaji Banding Drammeh, president of the Supreme Islamic Council - SIC(great acronym and rather appropriate), says that "FGM is a recommendation of the hadiths of the Prophet. It is an honour for a lady to undergo the practice of FGM.'' But in fairness, he does say that the practice is optional. That one would hope is the case, and there are probably many women that wish they had never experienced FGM.
Hat tip - Dhimmi Watch
Cross posted at Jawa Report
Posted by Hyscience at May 13, 2005 10:10 AM
I bet a few Gambian women would enjoy bestowing a reciprocal honor upon this wise ass . . .male genital mutilation. It would be the only honorable thing to do. Do unto others . . .eh?
Posted by: rth at May 13, 2005 8:16 PM
I have a slightly different view after reading the report about the complications that come from the procedure.
It says that the people who perform this mutilation use instruments that are not sterilized. There is a high level of AIDS in these African nations where this genital mutilation is practiced.
One of the things that gets me upset happens to be the people who rabbit on about the alleged culpability of the Catholic Church with regard to the high population in these African nations as well as culpability for the spread of AIDS. It seems to me that we now have a more reasonable cause for the continued spread of this disease. It cannot be prevented by the use of condoms in such circumstances. It will not be stamped out until the mutilations are stopped.
Posted by: Maggie4life at May 14, 2005 2:42 AM
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