Muslims against Human Trafficking

Muslims Against Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation

An initiative of MY Project USA

Have you undergone FGM? Do you know someone who has? We want to know how to help you! Fill our survey here

Overview:

What is FGM? Female Genital Mutilation is known as FGM, Female cutting, Female Circumcsion. It has different names in different languages. What is it called in your language?

There are different kinds of FGM:

Type I - Clitoridectomy: refers to removal of the clitoral hood; i.e. the cutting away of the upper fold of clitoris, which may be accompanied by partial or total removal of the clitoris (clitoridectomy).

Type II - Excision: is the partial or total removal of the clitoral hood and the clitoris, and cutting away of the labia minora in whole or in part.

Type III - Infundibulation : is the total or partial removal of all external genitalia of a woman, and the suturing or narrowing of the vaginal opening infibulation.

Type IV - Other: is non-classified; e.g. pricking, piercing, or incising the clitoris, labia minora or majora

Did you know?

Did you know that over 200 million girls have undergone FGM worldwide? And most of these girls its happened under the age of 15.
Did you know that almost all Muslim countries have criminalized it, meaning that its against the law?
Did you know that 80% of women who underwent FGM have anxiety or affective disorders? Did you know they also have a high rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), about 30%.
Did you know that FGM can prevent women from going to the bathroom comfortably? They also have painful periods. And painful sex. At least 30% of women with FGM have problems urinating, and repeated urinary tract infections.
Did you know that FGM vicitims have a higher rate of infection from HIV and other infections?
Did you know that FGM can cause obstruction in childbirth? And cause tears while the baby is coming out?
DId you know that repeated infections from FGM can lead to infertility?
Did you know that FGM can cause sexual disorders and dyspareunia?
Did you know that girls and women can die from FGM?

Watch our Playlist on YouTube

Victims talk about being cut:

FGM occurs in different strata, educational levels, backgrounds, cultures. In many cases a doctor performs the procedure. Doctors in FGM prevalent countries often feel the same cultural pressures. They also may not have adequate physician training as doctors in more developed countries and may not know its complications. The doctors themselves may be desperate for the money or fees given by the girl's family.

Read about A.H. a victim of FGM in her home country in Africa.

A.H.’s experience. (Interview with a victim):

How old are you?

I am 38 years old

What is your education background and your parents?

I am a-physician, my father is a teacher but my mother is house wife

Do you remember when you underwent FGM? How old were you at the time?

When i was 8 year old

Did you understand what was happening?

Yes

Who performed the procedure?

He was a male Doctor he came to my home as home visit.

Did he know it was illegal?

He know it was illegal

Did you feel it? What was the worst pain?

Yes it was done by using a local anaesthetic, yes i feel the cut [even with the anaesthetic] , i feel burning sensation especially with urination [for a long time after that]

What did your mother and father say about it?

They told me it was obligatory in our family and country . Added they said no body will marry me if i didn't do it

Did you ever talk to your parents about it again?

Have you had:

Painful intercourse

Yes

Repeated urinary infections

Yes

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Yes

Difficulty in childbirth

Not yet [no children yet]

Psychological trauma

Yes

Did you know there is reconstructive surgery to reverse the cutting and scarring? Have you sought treatment?

Yes

How has it affected you marriage relationship?

It was horrible because i spent 5 days of my honeymoon in hospital as i do reconstructive surgery

What does your husband think?

My husband was understanding and supporting to me

Would you have it done to your daughter?

Do you think it's religion or culture?

Culture

What would you like to say to everyone?

"I want to tell the parent that mutilation is very harmful to your daughter, you didn’t protect her by it [instead] you destroyed her marriage relationship"

Seeking treatment:

Are you a victim of FGM? Did you know there is treatment for it?

Watch the story of Sister Maha Hussein, a 42 year old Somali Refugee as she undergoes treatment in San Diego:

Watch more about treatment here:

READ ABOUT 4 BRAVE WOMEN AND THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH FGM TREATMENT IN THE USA. Safiattu Salah and her husband Mtijan Kamara from Sierra Leone talk about their experience with reconstructive surgery.

Why should I get treatment for FGM?

FGM can lead to major complications in childbirth. FGM can also lead to repeated urinary infections. FGM can lead to painful sex and discomfort. Anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is common too. All of this can be relieved by surgery and physiotherapy, and psychotherapy.

Surgery:

For women who have undergone FGM treatment deinfibulation can be a relief.

The scars are removed and the labia is reconstructed.

This leaves the vulva open permitting a free flow of urine and menstrual blood, and allows for a more comfortable sexual intercourse.

What kind of Doctor should I go to?

A Pediatric surgeon if you are younger than 18, and an obstetric or uro-gynecologist if you are an adult.

How long does it take?

Usually you can go home the same day, and you are awake during the procedure. Somettmes its more complex and you have to stay longer. A doctor can tell you what to expect.

Is the treatment painful?

Anaesthesia will make the procedure painless. The doctor will give you pain medication for when you go home until the area heals, which should take a few days. You might feel some pain urinating for a few days.

Physiotherapy:

Pelvic Floor exercises and physiotherapy can help return the muscles and contractions to normal function. This helps in urination and sexual relations. This therapy is provided by a Physiotherapist.

Psychology:

Talking to a therapist can help you navigate the trauma, and approach sex and childbirth without fear or guilt. This therapy is provided by a psychologist or family counselor. There is also help for your husband.

Do you live in the Columbus OH area? You can get treatment for FGM:

OhioHealth UroGynecology

3555 Olentangy River Road, Ste 4050

Phone: 614-566-2727

Ohio State University Pelvic Floor and Reconstruction (Urogynecology)

Phone: 614-293-4643

Nationwide Children's Hospital, Center for Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction (CCPR)

Phone: 614-722-4086

Is FGM only an Africa problem?

In the USA:

In Somalia:

Learn how a Somali Sheikh is leading a 7 year campaign against FGM.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ZERO TOLERANCE for FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

- FEBUARY 6-

FGM... Haram or Halal?

FGM is not a Sunnah:
The Prophet SAS never had his daughters or wives undergo the cutting or genital mutilation.
Its not mentioned in the Quran.
Allah created us, Men and Women in the best of forms.
In the Holy Qurna, the Almighty Lord, described his creation to be in the best form: َ ْ"We have indeed created man In the best of moulds."
“The One Who has ‘perfected everything’ He has created and began the creation of human beings from clay” (Qur’an 32:7)
“Allah is the One who made the Earth a habitat for you, and the sky as a structure, and He designed you, and has perfected your design.” (Qur’an 40:64)
“(Satan said), ‘I will command them and they will change Allah’s creation.'” (Qur’an 4:119-120)
Its haram to distort or change Allah’s creation.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) pointing out that ("Allah curses those who change His creation». Muslim scholars said it is an agreed-upon Hadith").
Islam prohibits inflicting harm upon health.
"There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm." SAS
FGM causes harm to the woman and man, physically and psychologically.
Sometimes, there is reference to hadith that are weak, one of which is known as Umm Attiya’s Hadith. These three hadith are weak.“In fact, all reporters of this Hadith narrated it by weak isnad (chain of transmission), as outlined by Al Hafiz Zin El-Din Al Iraqi in his comment on Imam Ghazali's ‘Revival of Religious Sciences’ (1/148). Further, Imam Abu Dawood commented on this Hadith saying "it was reported by Obaid Allah Bin Amro about Abdul Malik on its meaning and isnad, yet it is not a strong reporter, and it was narrated loosely. It is a weak Hadith" So its a weak hadith. Weak hadiths are not enough for a fatwa.

Fatwas by scholars:

The Grand Mufti of Al Azhar, Professor Sheikh Ali Gomaa, confirms that FGM is forbidden in Islam

Kenyan Islamic Scholars debunk the link between islam and culture:

Watch here for more videos about Religion and FGM:

USEFUL LINKS AND VIDEOS FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS:

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/05/victims

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15863806/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273146774_Female_genital_mutilations_genito-urinary_complications_and_ethical-legal_aspects

Muslims Against Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation