FRANCIS NUNOO

SEXUAL ETHICS IN ISLAM

OVERVIEW

• Views about female circumcision in the islamic religion
• Circumcision and its various forms
• Is circumcision Islamic or un-Islamic
• Stereotypes that surrounds circumcision
• What are the ways to address the issue

It is necessary to look into the motives and justification of the practices to understand the nature of the problem.

QUESTION THAT ARE NECESSARY TO ASK ARE:

• What are the reasons and justications for the practice
• Who decides what counts as normative for muslims
• Why are the maintained
• How can reform be achieved

What is Female Genital Mutilation:
Female genital multinational (FGM) is the partial or complete remove of a woman's external genitals. It is also similar to and termed as female circumcision.

Four variations:
Clitoridotomy: partial or total removal of the clitoris
Clitoridectomy: removal prepuce or hood of the clitoris. (Similar to male cupitcumcision.
Infibulation: narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal. The seal is formed by cutting and sewing over the outer, labia, with or without removal of the clitoris or inner labia.
Scrapping: pricking, rubbing or scraping of the clitoris.

STEREOTYPES REGARDING FGM:

• FGM is only done in muslim areas
• Majority of Muslims Practice FGM
• FGM is only done for religious reasons

Is FMG Islamic Un-Islamic:
If Islamic was defined as anything that Muslims do, then FGM would be called Islamic.

ARGUMENTS FOR FGM:

• Religious requirments
• Traditions

ARGUEMENTS AGAINST FGM:

• Quran doesn't mention it
• God does not mutilate
• Islamic law bans alteration to the body
• Not equal between the sexes

What do Muslim scholars and leaders have to say:
"I as Imam would like, with my colleagues, to turn to the Islamic world, particularly in Africa, and inform people that female genital mutilation is prohibited. It is a matter of abuse and violation of the female body and is quite clearly forbidden according to Islam"

Scholars and Muslim leaders reaction:
Implicitly accepting but explicity condemming.

HOW TO APPROACH THE ISSUE SO THAT REFORM CAN BE INITIATED AND MAINTAINED:

• Thorough and honest disscussions
• Understanding of how religious sources and authority are marshed and munipilated
• Examining reasons behind tradition
• Examing and re-examining scriptual text.

"Woman and their male allies from regions where FGM is practice must be at the forefront of any movement for change to occur. Any activity targeted at changing values and attitudes must include religious leaders in the planning and implementation of change. The misconception that FGM is a religious requirement must be firmly clarified."

Untitled Slide

Untitled Slide