Last Friday, one of my readers informed me that the sheikh on Al Koran Al Karim Radio legitimised female circumcision in a morning programme.
I was stunned and checked the facts further.
The sheikh, interviewed on that very widely listened radio, was referring to circumcision in general, for men and women. He stated all the benefits of this procedure for men, then referring to female circumcision, he said that some Muslim scholars have encouraged it while others opposed it, but the majority is for it.
I don't know where this sheikh is living and if he has followed at all the debate on the subject that has been going on for the past years.
Religious authorities in Egypt have said that Islam offered no justification for the procedure. Dr Ahmed Talib, dean of the Faculty of Sharia at Al Azhar University, stated in March 2005 that "all practices of female circumcision and mutilation are crimes and have no relationship with Islam".
In a conference in Cairo less than four months ago, Muslim scholars from all over the world said female circumcision was an aggression against women and should be stopped.
"Islam forbids people from inflicting harm on others, so those who circumcise their daughters are doing exactly that," was said after the conference.
So why is this sheikh encouraging female circumcision on a popular Jordanian radio? The audiovisual committee should look into the matter and take immediate action, as such statements, coming from a religious man, will no doubt have a huge impact on listeners.
RAnda habibs corner
© Jordan Times 2007
