So drastic is the mutilation involved in the latter operation that young brides have to be cut open to allow penetration on their wedding night and are customarily sewn up afterwards.
The aim of the process is to ensure the woman is faithful to her future husband. Some communities consider girls ineligible for marriage if they have not been circumcised. [Source]
I sat for a cross-cultural psychology module and was taught that mutual respect has to exist between people of different cultures, even if they have bizarre practices (like the Inuits offering their wives to visitors). Of course a line has to be drawn between tolerance and acceptance. Just how much of this practice from the cultures can we tolerate? I can't read and not be outraged by the practice mentioned above. Just like how some non-muslims are outraged that female circumcision are encouraged in Islam.
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) has empathetically stated that female circumcision should be done "as minimally as possible". Yes it is encouraged in Islam. However, not to the extent where females are put through a great deal -like the total removal of the clitoris in some cultures. Like how some people conveniently "overlooked" certain teachings, choosing instead what suits their purpose (whatever that may be), they also conveniently overlooked what the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) has stated. I digress.
Below is the link to an article of a viewpoint on female circumcision. This article may be a wee bit old but the message transcends time. I share the same sentiments as the author of that article and hope that you'll take some time to read it as well. By empowering the masses, we can spare the female species from such monstrosity caused by people who distort the proper teachings. And ultimately, avoid misconceptions. Question now is, how do we do our part?
Female Circumcision: A Viewpoint
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