There are only two countries in the world outside of Africa where “female circumcision” (FGM) is common. One is Yemen. The other is Indonesia. Islamic foundations in Indonesia have mass ceremonies where they circumcise many girls at once. One foundation, Yayasan Assalam, also pays parents Rp. 80,000 ($8) who bring their daughters for the procedure. FGM is not required in Muslim law. In 2006, the Indonesian government banned doctors from performing FGM, but then in 2011, the ban was reversed. It is becoming more and more common.
Pray for Christians to be counter-cultural and loving at the same time when it comes to this issue.
Read the full story here.
Please make a note that the female circumcision is not an Islamic practice, even if so-called Muslims are participating in it. Islam teaches that women have rights. Nowhere in the Quran does it tell men to circumcise women. In fact, in the Islamic belief system (when followed properly), it tells women that they have the right to divorce the man should he not be sexually satisfied in their marriage or if a man is mistreating them. Also, harming the innocent is as bad as killing all of humanity to a true follower of Islam. Muhammad came to the Middle East at a time when “honor killings” were prevalent – a time when men would bury their new-born daughters alive because no value was placed on women. The Quran’s message and the actions of Muhammad never once allowed the mistreatment of women.
Please be aware, I’m not trying to offend anyone by posting this comment. Rather, I am trying to create a better understanding of what Islam really stands for. FGM is an awful practice that should be banned everywhere, and God-willing one day it will be, but it is not condoned by Islam. All I ask is that you take a moment to realize that Islam literally means submission to God, and that it does not allow FGM at all. Sorry for the novel-length comment, but it is necessary to educate adequately, and at times, our sources can mislead us. So coming from a different source, please take a moment to head to my request and not just assume that Muslims are alright with this type of treatment. Thank you.
My response is also based off of the entire article, rather than just the excerpt.
Caroline,
Thank you for your comment. I am aware that FGM is not practiced in most Muslim countries and that most Muslims do not accept it.
Our purpose is to make people aware of things that happen in Indonesia, and it is very widely practiced there. The Muslims in Indonesia do believe that it is an Islamic practice, this is why they practice it.