SUPPORT FOR FEMALE CIRCUMCISION AMONG MUSLIM WOMEN AT ALL TIME HIGH By Muslim Rights Observer

Despite the Islamophobic industry condemning female circumcision as a “patriarchal custom”, a recent report by the FPA ‘Towards Understanding Female Genital Cutting in Sri Lanka’ by Zainab Ibrahim and Ermiza Tegal has shown that it is Muslim Women who mostly support the practice. Moreover despite being labeled “outdated” the evidence shows that it is actually being perceived very positively and in fact growing in popularity including among women who did not practice it before due to greater religious awareness.

Note: Female circumcision as prescribed in Islam is not Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as often represented by Western media, but the removal of only the protruding skin (clitoral prepuce aka female foreskin) covering the clitoris, very similar to male circumcision performed on Muslim boys.

So what do we have in the report ? Something we have been saying over and over again- the practice is mostly supported and perpetuated by women, with nearly 90 percent identifying a female person as being the key influencer and reproducer of the practice (debunking the idea that it is a patriarchal imposition); Besides, all respondents who had daughters, had them circumcised. One woman who had not been done, had it done on her daughter and another went so far as to tell her sons “If you have daughters, you should do this”. Some compared their experiences in relation to their sons’ ‘circumcision’ and stated that they felt more disturbed by male ‘circumcision’ because they felt the male child experienced more hurt and were engaged longer in caring for them after their circumcision compared to their daughters. Therefore,in comparison, they felt ‘it was not so bad’ for the girl child. In speaking of the perceived impact of the practice many felt that it had no impact.

Interestingly, the women said they did not experience any impact on their lives, whether in terms of hygiene and sexual pleasure, and when it came to giving the reasons- It was perceived as a religious requirement, It was perceived as a means of establishing a ‘Muslim identity’, It was believed to be medically beneficial, It was perceived as improving sexual experience of the woman, It was perceived as improving the appearance of female genitalia,It was perceived as improving sexual partners interest, which all these women regarded very positively.

And most importantly, what we have been always saying- these women expressed an interest in medicalising the procedure and training traditional practitioners to do it right.

Medicalizing the procedure is important because a more recent report by Angela Dawson and Kumudu Wijewardene has noted that there may be more severe forms being practiced than the mere removal of the clitoral prepuce (female foreskin) prescribed in the Islamic faith. It however seems it is the proper form or an innocuous nominal procedure (pricking to draw a little bood) that is being done in the majority of cases.

Participants cited a number of health benefits that they believed to be associated with  female circumcision. One nurse from Puttalam said that she had heard that it promotes sexual health and relationships saying, “They say they have good family life and sexual relationship”. It was also reported to promote cleanliness, prevent health issues that in some cases, was associated with religion. “Islam encourages this so as to avoid germs and remain healthy” (Female Moulaviya, Mannar), while others said that it “Removes some dirt which comes with us when we are born” (Young women, Puttalam). One woman explained that it “Can control some diseases and remove bad blood.” (Ampara Professional women). An Osthi Mami stated that it “would prevent getting infected by cancer” (Osthi Mami, Ampara). It was also cited as “reducing all possibilities of having any urinary problems” (Young women, Mannar).

Further, nurses from Kalutara and midwives from Puttalam said that they had never seen any infections or obstetric issues associated with this practice. One midwife stated, “It is not a problem, there are bigger issues, like children of one group of Muslim women are not immunized because they are against it, and having home deliveries”

Religion was here too described as being the main driver. Participants described female circumcision as a “compulsory” religious obligation (Two young women from Puttalam, Moulaviya from Ampara). One participant stated, “It is because it is a Sunnah [traditional Islamic custom and practice, both social and legal, based on the verbally transmitted record] and so must be done—Like how there is Khatna for men, there should also be Khatna for women.” (Older women, Colombo). Reference was also made to the fatwa justifying FGM/C made by the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama.

Interestingly, despite a ban on medical professionals performing the procedure as a result of a supposed circular issued by former Health Director Anil Jasinghe who was known for his virulent racism, it was revealed that Muslim doctors still engaged in it. As one respondent said “Doctors are also doing it secretly”, So the circular has more or less become a dead letter word.

Indeed, female circumcision was reported to be a requirement for women who wished to marry a Muslim man and convert to Islam. An Osthi Mami described: “I did this to a woman who had embraced Islam, after teaching her the Kalima [texts to memorize to learn the fundamentals of Islam] and bathing her. Similarly, there was a girl who eloped and I did it for her too after she embraced Islam. For older women, I usually take them to V.O.G [visiting obstetrician gynaecologist] and they would instruct me on how to do it. I would ask them to shave and clean themselves and then I come and do it [the circumcision] (Osthi Mami, Mannar).

Another Osthi Mami stated that she performed female circumcision to facilitate conversion to Islam alongside punishment that was handed down by religious leaders because a woman had sexual intercourse before marriage:

“The mosque board would instruct me to do it. Then I would perform Khatna for them. If there other complications, such as sins, then the mosque would ask me to give the appropriate punishment-hundred and one beating- to the women while the mosque board would carry out that punishment for the men. Once that is done, I would perform Khatna and then bathe her, teach her to pray and all other things in Islam. Is she is a learned girl then I would advise her to be serious about this and to increase her knowledge by reading” (Osthi Mami, Mannar).

The moral- Understand the other and respect their religious beliefs and most of all respect the women who choose to practice their religion the way they understand it without imposing one’s biased Western interpretations on them.

http://www.fpasrilanka.org/content/launch-research-study-towards-understanding-female-genital-cutting-sri-lanka?fbclid=IwAR23pFi-YQ6jjl1XH_2oGAq-bevTP-mmIe2Ivm4nkieGPVAGwiyhFeH3mfw