Female circumcision in the Gulf area is widely practiced, maybe not as popular anymore, but it has been practiced for centuries. Now, talking about this subject freely might have some stigma to it, and many expats wonder about it but are too polite to ask.
To make it clear, female circumcision in the Gulf is not the same as that practiced in some African regions where women’s external parts are all cut off leaving small openings. Also, it is neither required nor sought after in Islamic teachings. Female circumcision is a cultural aspect of the Middle East. When I asked some relatives about circumcision a few years ago, the explanation was that we live in a very hot weather climate, and the Arabic women usually have external vaginal parts that are larger than the normal size. The combination of hot weather, no underwear, and the large sizes made women uncomfortable or rather (frankly) aroused.
This explanation may sound naïve and unrealistic to many of you, but it is a valid reason to many here. Now, what is female circumcision in Oman and the Gulf region? As far as I know, circumcision varies from cutting parts of the clitoris to making a small cut that makes no impact (I guess the sight of bleeding = purification). I do not believe that there is a certain cultural event or a ritual that happens during the circumcision. Women just call a known lady to their houses when men are absent. She makes the cut, gets paid, and leaves.
Now, is female circumcision wrong? Yes, and the younger the generation gets, the more they are aware of the repercussions. The idea that circulates now-a-days is that female circumcision is the result of females’ inability to enjoy sexual activities with partners. Many mothers these days refuse to circumcise their daughters.
the more accurate term is genital mutilation
awful, barbaric, completely unislamic practice
you say that women do it to their daughters when the men are absent. are the fathers aware of this torturous act that happens with their daughters?
Well, I do not agree that the act is barbaric, as I mentioned in my article, the impact is not great.
The act that is practiced in Oman is more like “a paper cut” rather than a mutilation. At least to my understanding..
Fathers sometimes know and sometimes they don’t.
Reality,
A colleague of mine has been circumcised and it wasn’t a ‘paper cut’. The way she describes it is as genital mutilation. Her aunts still do it to their daughters. When she went back to her ‘balad’ with her daughter, her mother in law tried to force her to get it done to her daughter. My colleague refused, but that didn’t stop the other girls from getting it done. They do it to a girl who is as young as 2 years old, and its done with a razor blade. My colleague was also telling me how she never feels anything when she sleeps with her husband.
I believe there is a clinic in Muscat that does it… ot sure where though.
No underwear? I thought only men replace their boxers with a wizaar! 0.o
Well, the theory I provided is an old one that women pass along. In the past, women didn’t have underwear.
Salaam and Greetings,
If I may…
In Islam, specifically in the (Shaf’i madhab/school of thought) it is obligatory for both the male and female to be circumcised. Omani’s are majority Shafi’i… I think.
Most of us understand male circumcision and dont see it as barbaric or awful. It is also obligatory for catholic boys as well and few if any consider it mutilation.
In the Shafi’i madhab, Cicumcision does not call for the removal of the clitoris (badhr), but rather a slight trimming of it (khafad) to increase sexual pleasure. If the removal of the clitoris was intended, the word badhr would have been used alone
It is neither excision nor FGM, nor anything else harmful to the woman or her ability to derive sexual pleasure. It is not recommended per se.
As for excision, FGM, or other harmful practices, which have become culturally widespread, none of these are in any way permitted. This is why the scholars generally say that the proper practice is almost a lost art.
Also, just want to mention, I have two friends who were circumcised (as described earlier) and both say they have very healthy, exciting sex lives. I personally cringe at the thought, but it is important to know what our religion says on this topic especially because abuse of it is widespread.
And Allah alone gives success.
Omani’s are 70% Abadhis, 25% Sunnis, about 5% Shea’s and I know that circumcision is not required or preferred for Abadhi’s at least.
Also, what happens with the male is different than that to females. Yes, some Christians and most Jews do circumcise their males, but its a different procedure and you cannot compare between the two. They are not similar to each other.
In males, you remove extra skin that covers the penis. If it done right, then it does not effect men’s sexual performances. However, Circumcision to females is not removing skin. It’s chopping of a part of the clitoris or all of it. and No! that does not increase pleasure. Its like chopping off the front bit of a males penis! I’m sure that would cause them LOTS of pain!
Dear Reality,
The 25% of Sunni Muslims in Oman are of the Shafi’i madhab.
I was not comparing male circumcision with female circumcision I just meant to say that circumcision for both is practiced. They ARE similar in that it requires taking something off of the genitals!
The circumcision of women in Islam (that is permissible) also should NOT affect a womans sexual pleasure. I am not talking about cultural practices that are widespread even amongst non-muslims where the clitoris itself is removed or so mutilated that pleasure is impossible. My mention of it increasing pleasure is not my personal opinion, this is recorded in the Fiqh of it.
Circumcision for both sexes is painful, I don’t think one is more painful than the other. Personally, I nearly passed out watching my son get circumcised, but it is wajib for Muslim boys.
Anyway, its good to dialoge about things like this.
thank you for the post.
And Allah alone gives Success
What you are talking about in female circumcision is different than to what I am talking about.
Plus, it is not similar.
What you are explaining here to me is that they take off part of the hood that covers the clitoris. Not cutting off the clitoris itself or even part of it.
That may increase sexual pleasure. However, cutting off the tip of the clitoris is painful, and I do not mean at that moment.. im talking about the long run.
There are so many nerves there that allow women to feel the pleasure that they do. Cutting it off (or part of it); however, cause pain instead of pleasure.
Would you think your son will feel okay if you cut the tip of his penis off instead of the foreskin? That is what they do to women.
Dear Reality,
I agree that there is gross malpractice of circumcision in general, and as you mention, in Oman. I’m on your side here…chill.
I just wanted to clarify the permisiblity of it in Islam, especially for your readers who are not Muslim. So many people have this idea that Muslim women are supposed to be circumcised and not enjoy sex etc etc. Very few know that our Beloved (saw) encouraged foreplay! (Kissing, hugging etc before sex)
Note: I am not pro-circumcision and as I mentioned the Ulema have ruled it a “lost art” because of what it has become. But it IS permissible, not necessarily obligatory, but permissible (done the way I described earlier).
No, I don’t think my son would be okay if part of his penis was missing. And no, I would never have my daughter circumcised.
again, thanks for the post keep my brain thinking!
And Allah alone gives success.
Im sorry if I sound defensive, but I am very calm.
I am just trying to explain the difference between what you said earlier and what you actually meant.
So, as you said, our readers would understand what you mean when you say that it is supposed to bring pleasure.
I am glad that you brought it up though.. Thank you for commenting
Humm,
Reading at this, I don’t think female circumcision is so bad, even with removing clitoris and maybe some outer lips. It allows intercourse, and done in some good conditions and aestethics, woman can enjoy full relation with her husband.
O.