Recommendations of the Conference - The Same
Value as a Fatwa
In the name of God the all merciful
The international conference of scholars concerning a ban on abuse of
the female body was held on 1st and 2nd Du al-Qi’dah 1427 of the Hijri,
corresponding to the 22nd and 23rd November 2006, in the conference
facilities at Al-Azhar University. An array of research
work was presented. Once scientists, Islamic scholars, experts and
activists from civil rights organisations in Egypt, Europe and Africa had been heard, the following recommendations
were issued:
- God
gave people dignity. In the Qur’an God says: “We have dignified the sons
of Adam”. Therefore, God forbids any harm coming to man, irrespective of
social status and gender.
- Genital
circumcision is a deplorable, inherited custom, which is practiced in
some societies and is copied by some Muslims in several countries. There
are no written grounds for this custom in the Qur’an with regard to an
authentic tradition of the Prophet.
- The
female genital circumcision practiced today harms women psychologically
and physically. Therefore, the practice must be stopped in support of
one of the highest values of Islam, namely to do no harm to another –
in accordance with the commandment of the Prophet Mohammed “Accept no
harm and do no harm to another”. Moreover, this is seen as punishable
aggression against humankind.
- The
conference calls on Muslims to end this deplorable custom in accordance
with the teachings of Islam, which forbid injuring another in any form.
- The
participants of the conference also called on international and
religious institutions and establishments to concentrate their efforts
on educating and instructing the population. This concerns particularly
the basic rules of hygienic and medicine, which must be maintained for
women so that this deplorable custom is no longer practiced.
- The
conference reminds the educational establishments and the media that
they have an implicit duty to educate about the harm this custom brings
and its devastating consequences for society. This will contribute to
stopping the custom of mutilating the female body.
- The
conference calls on the legislative organs to pass a law, which bans the
practice of this gruesome custom and declares it a crime, irrespective
of whether this concerns the perpetrator or the initiator.
- Furthermore,
the conference calls on international institutions and organisations to
provide help in all regions where this gruesome custom is practiced,
which will contribute to its elimination.
Signature:
Professor Ali Goma’a Grand Mufti
Al-Azhar 25/11/2006 |