Female Circumcision in Islam (part 1 of 2): The History of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) and its Types

A common phenomenon which has been regretfully associated almost exclusively with Islam is the various forms of female genital cutting, or FGC[1]. Although many of those who are involved in this act attribute to the religion of Islam, the majority of the forms of FGC present in the world today which are acts truly abominable, acts of which the religion of Islam is innocent. In no way does Islam condone these actions, and they should be looked at something purely culture and not Islamic. Amnesty International asserts, "FGC [female genital cutting] predates Islam and is not practiced by the majority of Muslims, but has acquired a religious dimension."[2] The Female Genital Cutting Education and Networking Project states, "...it is not an Islamic practice. FGC is a cross-cultural and cross-religious ritual. In Africa and the Middle East, it is performed by Muslims, Coptic Christians, members of various indigenous groups, Protestants, and Catholics, to name a few."[3] One sect of Jews, the Falashas, also circumcise both sexes. [4] We will first look into the various types of FGC, and then examine why various cultures implemented these techniques upon their female constituencies.