Encyclopedia of Islam

circumcision

  

149  J

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even be called a “wedding” or be understood as a 

milestone on the road to marriage. Uncircumcised 

converts to Islam may be required to be circum-

cised, but there are different opinions about this.

Female circumcision, or clitoridectomy, is 

called “female genital mutilation” (FGM) by 

hUman

 

rights

 advocates because of the physical 

and emotional damage it can do to the patient. 

It is not as widely practiced among Muslims as is 

male circumcision, but it appears to be an ancient 

custom that is especially prevalent in sub-Saharan 

and northeast Africa. Christians and followers of 

other religions in that region as well as Muslims 

practice it. The minimal form of female circum-

cision, which is ruled to be obligatory by some 

Muslim jurists, involves removal of the tip of the 

clitoris. There are more extreme forms, however, 

that involve the entire female genital area. These 

procedures are not endorsed by most jurists 

and appear to be governed by local customs. 

Midwives, barbers, and female healers usually 

perform female circumcision with the approval of 

female relatives of the patient. Infection rates are 

high, and there can be serious complications. Like 

male circumcision, the procedure is considered 

by its practitioners to be a kind of purification 

that helps prepare girls for their eventual mar-

riage. Unlike male circumcision, however, it is not 

accompanied by large family celebrations.

See also 

birth

 

rites

; 

Women

.