Press Release Re: FGM

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

With reference to the recent controversies surrounding the subject of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), we at the Islamic Foundation of Ireland (IFI) would like to state that Female Genital Mutilation is not a religious requirement and has no sound religious basis in Islam. It is a cultural tradition that pre-dates Islam. It is mainly practised in some African and Asian countries by people of different religious beliefs; Muslims, Christians and others.

Female Genital Mutilation has no known health benefits. On the contrary, it is known to be harmful to girls and women and can cause several immediate and long-term health problems.

Islam prohibits any practice that harms the human body, mind or soul. On this basis and owing to the proved medical problems it can cause, Female Genital Mutilation cannot be condoned or encouraged in any way.

We fully support the Irish legislation regarding FGM {the Criminal Justice Act (Female Genital Mutilation) 2012} which states that it is an offence to do or attempt to do an act of Female Genital Mutilation. We will give our full support to any campaign in any part of the world to put an end to this practice.

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11 February 2018