“Circumcision is obligatory (O: for both men and women. For men it consists of removing the prepuce from the penis, and for women, removing the prepuce (Ar. bazr) of the clitoris (n: not the clitoris itself, as some mistakenly assert). (A: Hanbalis hold that circumcision of women is not obligatory but sunna, while Hanafis consider it a mere courtesy to the husband.)” — ‘Umdat al-Salik e4.3
We’re constantly told that female genital mutilation is a cultural practice that has nothing to do with Islam, and are warned that only greasy Islamophobes think otherwise. Yet Mohammed Abdul not only didn’t get this memo, but apparently he assumes that his hearers all share his point of view. What are the Vast Majority of Moderate Muslims planning to do about this spectacular misunderstanding of Islam?
“‘Cheat genital mutilation ban by going abroad’: British Muslim leader caught on camera advocating female circumcision,” by Ian Garland for the Daily Mail, April 29 (thanks to all who sent this in):
A British Muslim leader has been caught on camera advocating female genital mutilation.
Mohammed Abdul, the Imam of a Bristol mosque, was filmed urging a follower to take women and girls abroad so they can be circumcised legally.
The practise was banned by law in 2003, and it’s illegal to help or encourage anyone to carry out the barbaric procedure overseas.
The Masjid al-Huda mosque in Bristol, where Muhammed Abdul is an ImamThe Masjid al-Huda mosque in Bristol, where Muhammed Abdul is an Imam
The footage was obtained by an undercover reporter working for the Sunday Times newspaper, who posed as a Muslim seeking advice.
During a meeting with Mohammed Abdul at the Masjid al-Huda mosque: ‘In this country, it is not possible, we cannot do that. (For) any other Muslim who likes to practise the way of Prophet Muhammad, the best way is to go to other countries.
‘Some families, they go to Africa or Arab countries.
‘In this country you have to fight for your religion, your cultures, They (the British) don’t like your Muslim cultures.’
Although female genital mutilation (FGM) has not been advocated by Muslim scripture, a number of clerics encourage it….
“Not been advocated by Muslim scripture, and yet supported by Muhammad’s words: Muhammad is depicted in the Hadith as not condemning it, but merely cautioning against going overboard: “A woman used to perform circumcision in Medina. The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said to her: Do not cut severely as that is better for a woman and more desirable for a husband.” – Sunan Abu Dawud 41.5251