[Oman-L] Female circumcision in Oman

Fri Apr 28 12:06:39 UTC 2006

I'd like to diversify the discussion slightly to pose an explanation for the
differing reactions of Messrs Driessen, Baldissera, Ms Andriyanova and Mr
Kornas and Mohammed on this subject.

FGM is not a cultural practice in the West.  But we know it is in some
African and Middle Eastern communities.  We know that Somalis, as one group,
have brought the practice to UK, and that if the community can't carry out
the procedure in UK, girls are sent back to Somalia for it.

This article http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/archive/6994ed1.htm covers the
subject in the British Medical Journal and mentions Oman specifically as a
country where FGM takes place.  It also states that although the practice is
carried out predominantly by Muslim communities in these countries, it also
takes place in Christian communities.  The author makes the point that FGM,
Female Genital Mutilation, is frequently, but incorrectly, termed female
circumcision.  The practice often "entails an extensive mutilation, with
profound social, sexual, and medical consequences."

A news article on the Unicef website dating from February 2005
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_25043.html specifically cites Oman, so
Unicef sources will presumably have more information.

Amnesty International cites Wikan, Unni, Behind the Veil in Arabia: Women in
Oman, Johns Hopkins UP, 1982, as a source.
http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/femgen/fgm11.htm 

Now I don't know if Ms Wikan was the sole source of information on FGM in
Oman, although I have heard anecdotal evidence in the past, which would not
stand scrutiny.

Where has Mr Kornas heard so much about the issue, that he has become 'sick
and tired' of it?

This week, there has been a media conference in Dubai.  I quote here from a
Gulf News report http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Media/10035984.html : 

"The Arab world needs honest journalism, which reflects nations' values and
people's inner feelings, who do not fear the power of authority and are not
under constraint or influenced by the power of money," said Hamdi Qandeel of
Dubai TV at the Arab Media Forum.  

Othman Al Omair, publisher of the Arabic news website Elaph, felt there was
a weakness in the Arab media.  "We suffer from a lack of credibility, but
that is not limited to newspapers or the media alone. It is everywhere on
the streets, in the government."

And perhaps it is the culture behind that kind of approach which tries to
sweep mention of unpleasant things under the carpet.  Nasty things happen
everywhere, even in Oman.

I don't know if Mr Baldissera is Moslem, but I would urge him, if he is
non-Moslem, to take care if he is commenting on usage of words in Islam.  It
doesn't go down well.

Regards

Sue Hutton

  _____  

From: oman-l-bounces at oman.org [mailto:oman-l-bounces at oman.org] On Behalf Of
Peter Driessen
Sent: 28 April 2006 08:38
To: News and questions about Oman (Sultanate of Oman)
Cc: jduester at oman.org
Subject: Re: [Oman-L] Female circumcision in Oman

Hello Gentlemen, 

Sorry to join this conversation.. To be honest I don't believe it is very
insensitive or offensive to research this issue, certainly not in comparison
with the pain and hurt FGM can result in. I would say it is a profound
interest that drives mr. Duester to the issue, nobody is trying to be
offensive in any way. If FGM does not happen in the area anymore then I'm
sure Joachim's research will come up with this conclusion which makes him
able to spread the good word among everybody else concerned about the issue.

Of course you can talk about piercing in the west, the difference is that
piercing is based on the indiviuals' own choice, which is not the case with
FGM.

Why is there such a strong reaction when people not familiar with the issue,
show interest and want to research such subjects? Some people do believe FGM
unfortunately still occurs in the region based on previous studies, if you
say they are wrong then would you not support Joachim in his research so he
can spread the good word. Let's say it is something from the past and has
nothing to do with the Islam and the Arabic culture.. I'm sure then that you
would want to be sure FGM does not happen in any place in the region. 

or am i wrong..

Peter

On 4/27/06, Salah Kornas <skornas at kornaslaw.com> wrote: 

Here we go again. The west is so obsessed with this issue. This is
something from the past and has nothing to do with Islam or the Arabic 
cultural. No one is taking about the so call ed piercing in the west. I
am sick and tired hearing about this issue. Please get serious

Joachim Duester wrote:

>I am looking for information on female genital 
>mutilation (FGM, "circumcision") in Oman. Any
>information would be of interest: leads to articles
>and studies in the ethnological or medical field as
>well as any personal comments or any particular piece 
>of information.
>
>It would be of particular interest to have information
>on the type of FGM (infibulation, clitoridectomy,
>excision or other forms) and also information on
>possible regional, social and religious differences 
>with regard to the application of FGM within the
>Sultanate.
>
>Joachim Duester
>
>
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> Oman-L at oman.org <mailto:Oman-L at oman.org> 
>http://oman.org/mailman/listinfo/oman-l
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>
>
>
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