by ASGHAR VASANWALA
There are several customs that are not mentioned in Quran and Sharia, yet they are prevalent in many sects of Islam. Case in point is Female Genital Excision: Female Khatna or clitorictomy as is called. This procedure involves removal of, part or full, clitoris of a young girl. Idea behind this practice is that if clitoris is removed at young age, the girl’s sexual desire will stay limited or undeveloped and that she will not run away with someone bringing dishonor to her family or clan. This ritual was originally practiced by several tribes of North Africa. Even after converting to Islam, these tribes continued to practice this ritual of female circumcision. Bohras, Khojas, Druze, and other sect follow Ismaili Imams who ruled Egypt up to 1130 A.D. These Imams, who needed support of African tribes such as Kutama tribe, didn’t ban the practice; over the years it became a religious ritual among their followers.
Among Bohras and others, when a girl is about 5-6 years old, she is taken to a community-lady to perform genital excision or clitorictomy or Khatna. This community-lady doesn’t have any medical training. When the little girl be on way to genital excision, she is lied about as to what is to happen. After arriving to community-lady, the girl finds out what is happening. She realizes that her mother grandmother or her close relative lied to her. The little girl’s legs are forced open, she cries and throws temper tantrums and many times the ‘surgery’ gets botched, injuring the genital part of this little girl, that in future will ruin her and her husband’s sex life. Almost every Bohra girl, irrespective of the education level of her parents, has undergone ritual.
It is mind-boggling that very highly educated Bohras living in US & other foreign countries take their daughters to India or Pakistan for clitorictomy or Khatna! It is rumored that several Female Medical Bohra Doctors in US perform this surgery as a community service; even though they could end up in jail if found out. It takes only one complaint to put some one involved, behind the bars. However, everything remains secret. Some times without the knowledge of parents, some relative will take the little girl and get clitorictomy performed. Indian Government and social agencies remain silent, because of big clout wielded by the community.
There are no benefits from the practice; on the contrary, it degrades women, damages their psyche, and damages sexual life of both partners. Since little girls are lied on the way to circumcision, they lose of trust in their parents and grandparents.
This ritual, among practicing sects, could be abolished by just one of Firman or order from their religious heads. This practice is so private that if it is defied, no one will know and could be silently kicked out. Yet the members of community, especially women, are so fearful, they dare not defy.
I just signed the petition “H.H Dr. Syedna: Ban Female circumcision (Ladkiyon par khatna) ” and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name.
Our goal is to reach more support. You can read more and sign the petition here: Change.org