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"Questioning the Roots of Female Genital Mutilation- Is it Faith or Culture?" by Mabintou Darboe

Updated: Dec 2, 2020

Questioning the Roots of Female Genital Mutilation- Is it Faith or Culture?

Mabintou Darboe, Linda H. Rammler M.Ed., Ph.D, University of Saint Joseph



Abstract: Growing up in a contemporary African and Muslim Society, the cutting of the clitoris, labia minora and/or the stitching together of the Labia majora has been connotated as a religious practice. I changed it to Growing up in a contemporary African and Muslim Society, I was told the cutting of the clitoris, labia minora and/or the stitching together of the Labia majora was a religious practice. However, there have been debates about the legitimacy of the practice as an Islamic norm and principle. Thus, the question arises, Is the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) culture or religion? In this paper, I will explore this question in three parts: 1) The importance of this question to me 2) the research involved and 3) reasons why people should care. FGM has been a long-standing practice in the continent of Africa and some Islamic states. As someone who has been subjected to the practice as a child, I have often questioned why parents put their children under such trauma at an early age. Most often when asked, they reply with “it is Sunna”, meaning it is a religious practice. However, activists speculate that it is not. With so many medical and psychological health risks attributed to it, I ventured into exploring FGM through an interdisciplinary lens involving psychology, public health, medicine, history, and religious studies as it addresses the Islamic perspective, often used to justify the practice. The bulk supporters of FGM are women, with majority of them using religion (Islam) as their reason. However, based on my research, FGM did not originate with Islam, and the leading Islamic jurisprudence has no evidence of it. Thus, one conclusion is that it cannot be religious.



 

“I was six years old when it happened to me. I knew it was time for me because all my friends had it done to them at the same age. I got off from school hopelessly terrified. My friends said it was painful. When I got into the house, my soul felt cold, and I shivered with terror. My mom made my favorite meal for lunch that day. However, how could I eat knowing what was coming ahead? “I am going to be cut today!” I thought to myself. After being forced to take a shower, an old lady came into my mom's room, and she started talking with my mom asking her if we were ready. I knew the only way to escape was to run. I tried my chance, but I could not succeed. Before I could get through the door, my mom locked it. I had nowhere to go. The idea of opening my legs for a wrinkly old woman I know not of was terrifying and humiliating.

As soon as I saw the blade, I struggled to leave; I nearly succeeded but, when I opened the door, two other women were standing there. They grabbed me by my hands and placed me on the bed, stretching my legs wide open for the old lady to do her job. I cried for my mom, but she never came to my rescue. She was so close yet so far. I blanked out when the actual cutting was happening. The pain was excruciating and too much to bear. When I woke up, all I could remember was the razor blade and the old woman's head going down. At least it was a new blade.

Whenever I share my story, people ask me if I hate my mom. How could I hate the woman that brought me to this world? Hating her would not bring back my clitoris neither would my Labia minora.” This is a story of a friend who intends to remain anonymous.

The Controversy

Female Genital Mutilation/ cutting/ circumcision (FGM/C) has become one of the most controversial human rights violations in the 21st century. It is an alteration done to the female genitalia without medical purposes or the female’s consent. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes it as “all procedures that involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons” (Female genital mutilation, 2018). In 2016, UNICEF found at least 200 million girls and women in 30 countries have been cut. This figure is an estimate because the exact number is unknown (UNICEF’s data work on FGM/C. 2016). There are four main types of the procedure: type 1; type2; type3; type4 (Female genital mutilation, 2018). Different places call circumcision different names. A name I was familiar with growing up was “Nyakato” and “Sunna” . There have been many disputes about the practice in the West as well as in the regions where it is predominantly practiced. Feminists see it as a way of violating or discriminating against the woman's sexuality. Other opponents perceive the practice to be barbaric. Further, studies have been done by medical professionals and psychologists alike, and they found that FGM has detrimental effects on women both psychologically and physiologically.

This paper is a review of FGM: types, impact on psychological and physical health and well-being, worldwide statistics and demographic information, and political/feminist issues. The approach is interdisciplinary, including psychology, public health, medicine, history, and religious studies as it addresses the Islamic perspective, often used to justify the practice.

Types of FGM


There are four different types of cutting (categorized from 1- 4) with type 1 being the least severe, and type 3 being the most critical. Type 4 includes a variety of procedures yet to be classified by the World Health Organization. A brief overview of the types of FGM is described below along with their respective health effects.


Type 1


Type 1 is also known as Clitoridectomy. This type as described by the WHO (2018), is the “partial or total removal of the clitoris and the prepuce” . A study conducted by Kaplan et al. (2011), found type 1 to be the most prevalent in The Gambia. Out of the 871 cases they looked at, 66.2% of the victims were subjected to Clitoridectomy (Kaplan, Hechavarria, Martin & Bonhoure, 2011). Although it is the least severe form, it causes indubitable complications like shock, hemorrhage (eventually leads to anemia), urogenital complications, etc. (Kaplan, Hechavarria, Martin & Bonhoure, 2011). Figure 1 depicts FGM type 1, and we can see the difference between the cut and uncut external genitalia.



Figure 1: Clitoridectomy. Illustrations created by Linda M Glass, 2020.

Type 2


Type 2 is termed as excision. It is when the Labia Minora (the inner lips of the vagina) is removed along with the prepuce and clitoris. The removal process could be partial or total (Female genital mutilation, 2018). The case study by Kaplan et al. (2011), found 26.3% of their samples to have undergone type 2. They found both type 1 and 2 to have the same health complications. An illustration of type 2 appears in Figure 2. The red colored section is the part that is removed.


Figure 2: Excision (Type 2). Illustrations created by Linda M Glass, 2020.

Type 3


Type 3 is the most severe of all the forms, and it is known as Infibulation. It has detrimental health consequences ranging from hemorrhage to fatal outcomes (Kaplan, Hechavarria, Martin & Bonhoure, 2011). In this procedure, the clitoris, labia majora and minora are all removed and then stitched together for the tissues to fuse; only a tiny opening is left for the passage of menstrual blood and urine (Raymond, Mohamud, Ali, Makalou, Yakoub, 1997). In very rare cases, all the organs are kept intact, and the labia majora is stitched together. Individuals with this procedure are known to suffer from morbidity, mortality and even painful tears during coital penetration (Gayle & Rymer 2016). This form of cutting is common in Djibouti, Somalia, and Sudan (Raymond, Mohamud, Ali, Makalou, Yakoub, 1997). Kaplan et al. (2011), found 7.5% of women with this procedure during their case study in the Gambia. They were also the most to suffer from serious health issues (Kaplan, Hechavarria, Martin & Bonhoure, 2011). Figure 3 illustrates type 3 by depicting, side by side, the vulva of the victim after being cut and after the stitch is removed respectively.



Figure 3: Infibulation (Type 3). Illustrations created by Linda M Glass, 2020.

Type 4


The WHO categorizes all other procedures that alter the external female genitalia as type 4. These include the introduction of corrosive substances or herbs into the vagina opening (Female genital mutilation, 2018). Other procedures include the labia and clitoris been pierced, pricked, or stretched and some go to the extent of burning them (Female genital mutilation, 2018).



Figure 4: FGM type 4. Illustrations created by Linda M Glass, 2020.

Political and Feminist Issues

According to political activist Aida Seif El Dawla (1999), one of the most troubling concept/question that feminists cannot understand is how these women that have already been subjected to FGM readily support and defend it, and how they are willing to have their female children mutilated. FGM is seen as a cultural practice by feminists. They see it as a way of oppressing a female’s sexuality.


Cultural rationale

Some of the cultural reasons why girls are circumcised in El Dawla’s 1999 article are as follows:

  • “Circumcision serves as a way of preserving a girl’s virginity until marriage” . Looking back at the description of type 3 and 4, a female will less likely have sex due to the little opening she has in her vulva. The pain will be unbearable for her to sustain and the thought of having sex will be unlikely to cross her mind. The pain she will feel could be traumatizing for her when she has sex for the first time. Thus, limiting her sexuality.

  • “It is a rite of passage to femininity” . Women that are not circumcised to my knowledge are often referred to as “outcast” and “dirty” in a traditional society. Being circumcised is seen as a great achievement by conventional women. After the initiation, the children that were circumcised are celebrated because they are now considered women of society.

  • As we grow and mature, our sex organs also mature along with us. “Some individuals see the clitoris as the female version of a penis” . Girls are circumcised to prevent it from developing to the size of a male sex organ.

  • From El Dawla’s (1999) article and experience, most people that are religious and practice FGM, believe that it is recommended by their religion, which is not the case.

  • Although women do not agree that FGM suppresses their sexuality, they see it as helping them cope with rejections and abandonment from their husbands (El Dawla, 1999).

Other Feminist Concerns and Why These Are Not Accepted

FGM is not only seen as a violation of human rights and women’s sexual right to feminists, they see FGM as restricting the perception of women’s role in the world perpetuating the stereotype that women should be controlled and are weak (El Dawla, 1999). An issue that activists and feminists alike fail to understand is that these women already believe that FGM is not related to their sexuality. Sexuality is a feeling, and this feeling thus will differ in different women regardless of whether they are circumcised or not. Moreover, these women would not know if their sexuality has changed or not because they never had a chance to fully experience their sexuality as most of them were circumcised when they were toddlers. In addition to this, we no longer feel nor remember the pain, and some of us do not have the memories of it happening to us.


Affecting Cultural Change


Feminists and activists need to understand that we circumcised women, grew up being accustomed to our vulva. It is mostly educated women who know the difference. If feminists can identity this gray area and educate traditional women and FGM practitioners of the negative consequence and impact it has on some girls later in life, then they might have a chance of tackling this persistent problem.


Feminists also need to understand women in areas where FGM is rampant. Their belief systems and their cultural logic that drive them to decide to circumcise their female children also needs to be understood. According to El Dawla (1999), women in Egypt are perceived as weak and controlled by their male partners or family members. Most of the target audience in the advocacy to end FGM is women. Targeting women in a society where they already are viewed as inferior to men and controlled by them will have little or no impact on men in support of FGM. Educating both males and females and understanding the inaccuracies behind the driving force of their belief system is the way forward to eradicate FGM.


Politics of FGM


As activists continue to advocate for the eradication of FGM, the ultimate decision lies in the hands of politicians. They make the legal decision to ban FGM in a country. Countries where FGM is prevalent are usually with high Muslim populations (Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: a statistical overview, 2013) in which those in political control do not consider it a national issue. (El Dawla 1999). They are considered familial matters. Female politicians who have undergone the procedure and had no complications from the practice do not see FGM as a concern (El Dawla 1999). The actions of these women are the reason El Dawla says FGM remains prevalent in our society despite decades of advocacy and research on the adverse side effects.

Worldwide Data


FGM, though widely practiced among African and some Arabian countries, is also seen in Western countries due to migration. When people migrate to places, their customs, values, and beliefs migrate along with them.


Numbers


FGM, though widely practiced among African and some Arabian countries, is also seen in western countries due to migration. When people migrate to places, they migrate along with their customs, values, and beliefs. According to womenshealth.org (2018), 513000 girls in the United States are at risk of being cut or have experienced cutting. This number is quite large considering the strict laws against FGM in the United States. The World Health Organization (2018) has predicted that more women are at risk in countries where the practice is still prevalent.


From the recent statistics, 100-140 million women have been either circumcised or mutilated globally. This number is just an estimate. More people have been circumcised than have been recorded by the WHO because many incidences are not documented or reported. In addition to this, womenshealth.org (2018) noted on its website that three million girls are at risk of being cut every year. Thus, about 8219 girls are at risk daily and five girls every minute.


Geographic information


Data collected from the Public Reference Bureau (PRB), noted that FGM is practiced in at least 28 African countries and few Middle Eastern and Asian countries (Population Reference Bureau, 2014). PRB (2014) also reported that FGM/C is practiced among many religious groups including but not limited to Muslims and Christians in these areas.

Figure 5 shows the statistics, demographics, and location information of FGM collected from Population Reference Bureau. The data collected by PRB is recent as it was collected in 2014.



Figure 5: Map showing FGM activity; Source: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (2013): a statistical overview and exploration of the dynamics of change, Reproductive Health Matters, 21:42, 184-190, DOI: 10.1016/ S0968-8080(13)42747-7

The map in Figure 5 shows the percentages of girls and women from the ages 15 – 49 in countries with FGM/C activity. Countries in the western and eastern part of Africa, show higher occurrences of the practice. These countries are Egypt (91%), Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia (88%, 98%, 74% respectively). Western African countries include Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Gambia (96%, 88%, 76% respectively). The highest occurrence is seen in Somalia with 98% of the individuals surveyed were cut. Two of the Asian countries surveyed (Yemen and Iraq) had 23% and 6% prevalence respectively. PRB also collected data from Demographic Health Surveys (DHS), UNICEF, and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) to look at the trend of FGM prevalence in Egypt, Mali, and Burkina Faso.



Figure 6: Trends in FGM prevalence. Source: https://assets.prb.org/pdf14/fgm- wallchart2014.pdf

There is a little overall decrease in the prevalence of FGM in Egypt and Burkina Faso. In 1995, 97% of the people (ages 15-49) surveyed in Egypt had experienced FGM. This number decreased by only 6% by 2008. It is a small decrease considering the advocacy to end the practice and the number of years (18 years) between the first and last surveyed population. The prevalence of the procedure in Burkina Faso fluctuates among the years surveyed. Mali, on the other hand, showed a downward trend from the year 1995-2005 and increased in the 2010 survey.


The prevalence across all countries for which data exists appears in Table 1.



Table 1: Prevalence of Types of FGM in different countries. Source: https://assets.prb.org/pdf14/fgm-wallchart2014.pdf

As can be seen in Table 1, the types of FGM are described differently than the categories used by the WHO. “Nicked” could be construed as being type 1 or type 4. “Flesh removed” (which corresponds to both Types 1 and 2), is the most prevalent among all the countries except for Eritrea, Djibouti, and Somalia (4.1%,6.4%, 15.3% respectively). These countries have a higher prevalence in “sewn closed” (type 3) which is the most severe. It is more likely that victims of FGM in these countries suffer from more adverse effects than other countries in Table 1.

Data on the prevalence of the types could not be collected for countries like Egypt, Yemen, Uganda (1% prevalence, see Figure 6), Sudan, Liberia, and Iraq. Some have a high prevalence of FGM overall (Sudan, Egypt) while others have relatively low prevalence like Uganda.


Practitioners


For girls aged 0-14, 78.4% of FGM incidences are carried out by a health professional in Egypt (28TOOMANY, 2018). In a survey by Whitehorn et al. (2002), 22% of first-year male Egyptian medical students were willing to carry out FGM procedures without any objection. If future and current physicians are willing to carry out the procedures fully knowing the risks associated with it, then feminists and activists have a long way to go to eradicate FGM. The numbers cited earlier under “Trends in FGM prevalence” (Figure 6) could be much higher if age groups 0-14years were taken into consideration during the survey.

Evidence of the Impact on Psychological

and Physical Health and Well-Being

Using different descriptors for categories of FGM confounds the actual prevalence. But, since type 2 and 1 are more common and have less severe health risk than type 3, it is also possible that the majority of the supporters of FGM could have undergone type 2 or 1. In other words, they are at a lower risk of getting the side effects of FGM compared to type 3 victims. Even though health professionals, activists, and many victims alike want to abolish FGM because of the many adverse health risks associated with it, supporters of FGM are still persistent that it is beneficial.


Health Risks


According to a journal article by Gayle & Rymer, (2016), FGM has many health risks that effect pregnancy and delivery. This is especially true for most women who have undergone type 3 who are more at-risk during pregnancy due to the small opening they are left with (Gayle, & Rymer, 2016). This is more worrisome for developing countries because they have poor obstetric outcomes in general (Gayle & Rymer, 2016). Whitehorn et al., (2002) also found it to cause chronic pain syndrome which could later affect the woman during menstruation as she might have difficulties regulating her menstrual cycle.


Although FGM does not cause miscarriage, it leads to improper management of a miscarriage, especially in women with type 3 making it difficult for doctors to adequately monitor the process of miscarriage (Gayle & Rymer, 2016). The women would possibly have to undergo de-infibulation (reverse of infibulation-type 3) for the doctors to know the status of the cervix (i.e., whether it is open or closed), and to make sure that the women do not have any leftover biological products of conception (Gayle & Rymer 2016). This can be traumatizing for a woman as she would have to experience the pain of being cut (this time open) all over again. Figure 6 shows photographs of the de-infibulation process.


A different study by Kaplan et al. (2011), found FGM to be the cause of anemia - lack of enough red blood cells in the blood. Other long-term effects these authors uncovered from the analysis of secondary data showed that women with FGM have an increased risk of contracting HIV. The reason is, the same blade is used for all victims during the cutting process, thereby increasing the chance of people contracting the disease. They also found FGM to be linked with infertility which occurs due to infections (Kaplan et al., 2011). An article compiled by Raymond et al. (1997), found that 20-25% of female infertility was linked to FGM complications.



Figure 7: De-infibulation. Source: Nour N. M. (2008). Female genital cutting: a persisting practice. Reviews in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 1(3), 135–139.

Moreover, women can get infections (Whitehorn, Ayonrinde, & Maingay, 2002). Gayle & Rymer, (2016) as well as WHO, (2018), found FGM to be also linked to Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). The scar tissue that is left from Type 2 and 3 procedures has been known to serve as a shelter for bacteria leading to UTIs (Gayle & Rymer, 2016). “Victims of FGM are subject to frequent or chronic UTIs which is associated with premature labor and delivery” (Gayle & Rymer, 2016).


Other health risks Gayle & Rymer, (2016) attributed to or are affected by FGM includes intrapartum complications, catheterization, obstructed labor, episiotomy, perineal tears, postpartum hemorrhage and, most seriously, maternal, and fetal morbidity and mortality.


Psychological impact


As the majority of FGM supporters argue for the inaccuracy of these physical health findings, they also seem to disregard the psychological implications it has on women. Whitehorn et al. (2002) found from their secondary data that FGM has been reported to suppress the ability of the woman to enjoy sex due to the tightening of the vaginal wall which men seem to enjoy (Whitehorn, Ayonrinde, & Maingay. 2002). A feminist might see this as a form of gender inequity. Other psychological implications that WHO (2018) identified include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and low self-esteem (Female genital mutilation, 2018).


A study by Alice Behrendt and Steffen Moritz in 2004, looked at the effect of FGM on the mental health of women in Dakar, Senegal. There were 23 women in the experimental group and 24 in the control group ranging from the ages 15-40. They conducted neuropsychiatric interviews and questionnaires to determine the traumatization and psychiatric illnesses of these women. During their study, 22 of the participants described their circumcision as “appalling” and “traumatizing” (Alice & Steffen, 2004). They also reported feelings of “intense fear, helplessness, horror and severe pain during their initiation” (Alice & Steffen, 2004). With the information they acquired from the participants, they analyzed their data using psychiatric diagnoses based on the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (Alice & Steffen, 2004). Alice and Steffen diagnosed 80% of the circumcised women with affective or anxiety disorders with 40% exhibiting signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Only one participant in the control group was diagnosed with affective disorder, and it was thought to be linked to her FGM experience.


The results obtained from this study indicate the likelihood of females that have undergone FGM being more susceptible to psychiatric disorders like PTSD and emotional distress. Although this study supports claims made by activists against the practice as well as other journal articles, it cannot be generalized due to the small sample size and in an area with a relatively low prevalence of FGM as shown in Figure 4. The different types of FGM can also trigger different psychological responses. Victims of type 3 are more likely to suffer from emotional distress and sexual displeasure (El-Defrawi, Lotfy, Dandash, Refaat, & Eyada, 2001).


The chronic pain described previously is, itself, also known to increase depression, worthlessness, guilt, reduced social functioning and even suicidal thoughts (Whitehorn, Ayonrinde, & Maingay, 2002).


Impact on Sexuality


A study conducted by El-Defrawi et al. (2001) found that in a circumcised population of women in their research, 80% had sexual difficulties; 45% did not have the desire to have sex; 49% had reduced pleasure, and 60% could not orgasm. In addition to El-Defrawi's study, Raymond et al., (1997), found from their compilations that among the 1,545 Sudanese women interviewed in 1981, 55% of them claim to have not enjoyed sex in their marriage and only accepted it as a duty. The impact of FGM, then, affects women’s physical and psychological health as well as their human sexuality.

Cultural Justifications

There has been a lot of controversy and debate over the origin of FGM. Proponents of FGM argue that it is religious while activists against the practice say that it has nothing to do with religion and it is wholly culture – i.e., a culture that has been embedded and cast as religion. As it is seen under “prevalence of FGM” , it is mostly found in countries that have a high Muslim population. Proponents argue that it is part of the Islamic religion, but the history of the origin of FGM is not known. There are several reasons as to why is it viewed as a religious requirement and/or cultural practice.


Historical Basis


Like all practices currently viewed as human rights violations that were accepted in ancient times, the history and origin of FGM is not fully known. However, there are theories that it originated from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Ethiopia (Nour N. M., 2008) dating back 2000 to 5000 years ago according to the writings of Herodotus, an ancient Greek Historian. According to him, FGM has been in existence since the 5th century B.C. (Elchalal et al. 1999). Herodotus reported that Phoenicians, Hittites, and Ethiopians practiced it 500 years before Christ (Elchalal, Ben-Ami, Brzezinski 1999). In addition to the evidence from Herodotus’ writings, Elchalal et al. (1999) reported that a Greek papyrus in a British museum also referenced female circumcision in Egypt before Christ. It appears, then, that FGM preceded both Christianity and Islam, thus proving at the minimum that it did not coincide with the advent of these major religions.


Other Cultural Arguments


FGM, in some communities, is seen as a rite of passage as seen in the Maasai tribe of Quezada county in Kenya (KRWGnews, 2014). The female members of the Maasai tribe are circumcised as they reach puberty. The rite of passage grants the status of maturity, womanhood and in the Maasai’s tradition, availability for marriage which cannot occur without FGM. In the Maasai’s tradition, after circumcision, the girl is not allowed to see any of her family members for at least a year (KRWGnews, 2014). FGM or “emirati” as the Maasai people refer to it, as a rite of passage is essential to maintaining the social order and structure of their tribe in the face of encroaching Westernization (KRWGnews, 2014). An old woman who performed the practice in the Maasai community described emirati as an “important” practice that defines their community and each female individual (KRWGnews, 2014). Any female who does not undergo the practice is seen as useless in her community and disregarded as a “spinster” for the rest of her days (KRWGnews, 2014).


In addition to FGM being a rite of passage to womanhood and marriage, FGM is considered a necessary part of raising a girl “properly.” A girl that is circumcised in a community that holds high standards for circumcision is secluded in order to be taught “feminine roles” such as childbearing & rearing, nutrition and medicinal herbs, etc. (Elchalal et al., 1999). Only circumcised women are granted this privilege. Thus, being circumcised ensures that you’re taught skills needed for your survival after marriage. Agreeing to be circumcised also means conforming to societal norms and values, hence, guaranteed acceptance as a member of the society and not being an outcast. FGM is also carried out at an early age to suppress any sexual desires a girl might have and to ensure that she remains a virgin when married. Feminists see this as a violation of women’s sexuality and freedom.


Justifications from Faith


In some societies, members of the community practice FGM because they are taught it is a tradition that is found in Islam and believe, therefore, that it is a duty of their faith to carry out the practice.


About Holy Texts


The Qur’an and Hadiths are the two main sources of Islamic Jurisprudence and is supplemented by Qiyas (analogical reasoning). The Qur’an is the holy book of Muslims that contain God’s (ALLAH) words that were recited by the prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him [PBUH]) through the dictation of Jibril, an archangel of God. Hadiths are narrations and stories about the life of Muhammad (PBUH) initially passed down through generations via oral tradition. It supplements the Qur’an in serving as a guide in any decision Muslims make. Qiyas, on the other hand, is an analogical deduction that aims to weigh and find solutions to issues that are not clear in the Qur’an and Hadiths (Munir, 2014). Muslims believe that any command in the Qur’an is a requirement on them and should be followed. It is believed that instructions that are not in this holy book are not requirements, but it could be sunna (meaning optional) if mentioned in a hadith.


What Holy Texts Actually Say about FGM


Female genital mutilation may be mistaken to be an obligatory duty of every female child to fulfill as Muslims because there is no evidence from the Holy Qur’an to support FGM. In an interview with “Let the Qur’an Speak,” Dr. Shabir, president of the Islamic Information Centre in Canada, was asked about the religious view of FGM. His reply was holistic and solidified in the idea that FGM is not part of Islam. Surprisingly, male circumcision from what Dr. Shabir said, is not found in the Qur’an either (Let the Quran Speak, 2017). However, male circumcision dates to the era of Abraham (A.S) who was commanded by God to circumcise himself and all his male family members in the Jewish tradition (Let the Quran Speak, 2017). Since, in the Qur’an (Surah Al-Nahl verse 123), Muhammad (PBUH) was commanded by Allah to follow the ways of Abraham (A.S) unless told otherwise, the concept of male circumcision was adopted. It did not originate with Islam but was required because of Abraham’s Judaic faith.


Despite not having any reference in the Qur’an, FGM is still embraced by the faithful because of several hadiths that seem to link it with Islam. Three hadiths are commonly used to support the mutilation of females’ genitals. Below are the hadiths with the reasoning behind their use:


  • One Hadith on Ghusl (ritual bath) concerns when “circumcised” sexual organs meet. A family member who is very knowledgeable on the Qur’an, hadith, and Fiqh (a body of Islamic law) was interviewed. He agrees that FGM is not found in the Qur’an, but there are hadiths that support the practice which is an uncontestable fact. He quoted the hadith “إِذَا الْتَقَى الْخِتَانَانِ وَ جَبَ الْغُسْل,” which when translated says that if two circumcised organs meet, regardless of the release of semen and or vaginal discharge, then ritual bathing (ghusl) is required. He argued that if circumcision was not a necessity for women to undergo, then the prophet (PBUH) would not have used the Arabic word “الْخِتَانَانِ” which means circumcised organs. He interprets this plural form of “organs” as applying to the sex organs of men AND women. However, according to an article by Munir (2014), the definition of “الْخِتَانَانِ” in the Arabic language means “sexual organs” – i.e., as belonging to the man only. Munir (2014) argues that the word is taken out of context because it should be used to “describe the predominance of the male sexual organ which is circumcised” (Munir, 2014). He went on further to argue that some scholars term this hadith as weak and cannot be used to make a ruling on such inhumane practice (Munir, 2014).

  • A second hadith is among the most cited hadiths by FGM proponents:

“Umme ‘Atiyah, a female companion of the Prophet, who says that there was a lady in Medina who used to circumcise girls. The Prophet said to her, “do not cut off too much as it is a source of pleasure for the woman and more liked by the husband.” (Munir 2014)

However, the narrator of this hadith is said to have had other hadiths that are of less authenticity and supposedly was crucified for by a Caliph (title for Islamic ruler) for fabricating a hadith (Munir, 2014). Also, the hadith mentions that the prophet advised the woman not to cut all the clitoris as it is a source of pleasure for the woman and desired by the man. Male opponents of FGM fear that they might sin for not allowing their daughters to enjoy sex during marriage. Although it might be used to support FGM, it is in fact evidence that the clitoris of a woman should remain intact as it is beneficial for both her and her partner. Conversely, the family member I interviewed said, when asked about this hadith, “if female circumcision is not part of Islam, then why didn’t the prophet prohibit it?” His argument was because the prophet of Islam did not stop the woman but instead advised her, FGM is essential, and girls should be circumcised. This hadith has been reported to be lacking validity (Munir 2014), and thus it is not a reliable source to base the legitimacy of an inhumane practice on it.


  • The third hadith FGM supporters cite is “circumcision is a sunna (habitual practice) for men and a source of respect for women” (Munir 2014). This hadith again, according to Munir (2014) is unauthentic. Islamic laws, rules, and regulations cannot be based on weak narrations. Moreover, this hadith emphasizes respect for women, but what is the importance of this respect if it is causing harm to women? As the hadith is considered unauthentic and has a lot of fallacies (Munir 2014), it cannot be used to determine any rule in Islam.

Thus, FGM is only vaguely described in holy texts and subject to various interpretations, even by devout Muslims.


Survey Results


Because FGM is such a controversial topic in the 21st century, it is vital to get people’s views on the matter. I conducted a social media survey, approved by the University of Saint Joseph’s Institutional Review Board, to understand the rationale behind the proponents and opponents’ attitudes behind the subject. Given what I found in my research of the scientific literature, analysis of holy texts, and interviews with Muslim scholars, my hypothesis was that FGM is not required by Islam but rather is a cultural tradition.


Quantitative results


The survey involved 171 subjects who voluntarily shared their thoughts and views of the practice of FGM and its origin/justification. The sample consisted of a diverse population in terms of religion. Most of the respondents were from Africa (where FGM is predominantly practiced). The majority of the respondents were Muslims, followed by Christians from different sects.


More than half of the participants felt very negatively about the practice, and approximately one-sixth felt just negatively. Another sixth of the sample had neither positive nor negative attitudes toward FGM. Only a small portion of the sample population (approximately the remaining sixth of respondents) felt positively or very positively about the practice, some of these said the practice is “Sunna and part of the religion of Islam” while others mentioned that “they met their great grandmother carrying the practice without any harm” . The breakout by faith and strength of positive or negative opinions is depicted in Figure 8.



Figure 8: Demographics and views of participants

Qualitative Data

I also asked the participants whether they thought FGM was cultural or grounded in faith. The responses I got were culture and faith, more of culture than faith, and just culture. No one said it was “only faith.” After analyzing and reading through the responses, some of which were stated definitively whereas others appeared uncertain, four answers were selected to represent them.

“I believe it is both. However if we are to do it according to our religion there shouldn’t be any problem, but culture has played a very interesting yet negative part in it. It has graded it into types which causes complications”

“Both I guess, it depends on the circumstances in which it’s performed or the type of people that are performing it. For instance, when a specific ethnic group are performing it, it might then be considered as being a cultural practice. The same goes for religious practices it, it might then be considered as a religious practice”

“It is more of cultural than religious practice because it was not prohibited nor imposed by the religion”

“FGM is a crime against women. It’s a bad cultural practice that needs to be abolished FGM originated from the ancient Arabs who believed women used to have sexual feelings when riding the humped camel This part of their genitalia needs to be cut off to stop the sexual urge when riding the camel”

The first response references the second hadith discussed previously. Although it might be unauthentic, proponents support it because they see no harm in removing just the prepuce of the clitoris and may or may not be aware of the research on its impact. Respondents also indicated that they felt FGM to be cultural if a non-religious person practices it or if it deviates from the ruling in that second hadith. Some respondents, as evidenced by the second quote, are not as strongly worded. Despite being both culture and faith, most of the respondents see it as a very harmful practice which some called “barbaric” . The last response relates to the arguments made by feminists. There are many theories of FGM’s origin, but the feminist position defines broader historical issues of patriarchy, abuse of women, and control of women which are reflected by FGM and which needs to be addressed.


Limitations of survey results


A limitation that I encountered during this survey was including participants who were most likely to have had a strong belief in favor of the practice. Specifically, I sought assistance from a religious group in which I am a member to complete the survey. My request was rejected because they felt it went against their values as Muslims. Moreover, others believed that it was propaganda to tarnish the name of Islam. As such, the sample may not be at all representative.


Another limitation was that I used social media. Although this medium can be effective in polling the public, it may not accurately reflect the beliefs and attitudes underlying responses. For example, some may have felt obliged to include faith in their responses but may secretly wish it banned. Respondents, being anonymous as they were, also can be untruthful in their responses if not taking the survey seriously.


Due to these limitations, further studies will be needed to determine the views and thoughts of individuals on FGM. Nonetheless, this preliminary data seems to support my hypothesis that FGM is cultural.


Conclusion and Discussion


This paper reflects an interdisciplinary exploration of the origins of Female Genital Mutilation. The purpose of the review was to investigative if FGM was religious or cultural. After careful analysis, research and interviews, the origin of FGM cannot be entirely determined but it appears to precede both Christianity and Islam. From the prevalence and demographics of the practice, many would view it as grounded in faith because of the predominantly Muslim populations overlapping geographical prevalence. Yet, many other predominantly Muslim areas of the world do not practice FGM.


The evidence used to support FGM as Islamic is extremely weak. Oral narrations can be altered from generation to generation - people’s thoughts and beliefs are incorporated in these narrations making it sound more like their beliefs than the words of the original narrator. Thus, it is an unreliable source of evidence for supporting FGM. Based on my research, FGM did not originate with Islam, and the leading Islamic jurisprudence (Qur’an) has no evidence of it. Thus one conclusion is that it cannot be religious.


For people who say FGM is part of their family tradition, culture, or their identity, and not necessarily grounded in faith, there is substantial evidence that FGM causes harm to women in terms of physical health, mental health, and human sexuality. As such, it can be viewed, fundamentally, as the worst form of child abuse, sexual abuse, and sexual assault. There have been a lot of heated debates on whether it is culture or religion, with people using various sources to justify the practice. However, the question that should be concerning to us and worth debating over is “How do we abolish this abuse and sexual assault of women by other women?” A practice that murders infants, girls, at the age of seven or even less should not be justified. It should be abolished! The fact is, FGM is about oppressing women and their bodies. It is about controlling their sexuality, and that is a global issue, not a religious or a cultural issue.

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