UGANDA TAKES LEAD: FEMALE CIRCUMCISION OUTLAWED

...[D]espite  8 out of 10 people from Uganda ascribing to Christianity, female circumcision is never ascribed to Christian teachings (and rightfully so).  Why then, make that error with Islam?

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Intn'l Desk
Source & Credits: Chicago Islam Examiner
Qasim Rashid | Chicago, IL

UGANDA OUTLAWS FEMALE CIRCUMCISION

December 13 - A major step forward took place in the field of human rights as Uganda criminalize female circumcision.  Those convicted of the offense face a 10 year jail term and should the girl die as a result, the punishment extends to life in prison. 

According to the UN, nearly 3 million women undergo this inhumane and atrocious procedure annually.  Uganda has given hope and is proof that such a barbaric practice can be stopped dead in its tracks.

Female Circumcision Religious or Cultural?

Female circumcision is strictly a cultural phenomenon.  No religion prescribes such a procedure for any reason.  Often Islam is accused of promoting or even requiring this procedure, while nothing could be further from the truth.  In fact, Uganda is an example where the majority population is not Islam.  Over 85% of Uganda's population is comprised of various sects of Christianity.  Catholicism leads the way with about 49% of the nations population.  Islam meanwhile only comprises of about 12% of Uganda's population.

Yet, despite  8 out of 10 people from Uganda ascribing to Christianity, female circumcision is never ascribed to Christian teachings (and rightfully so).  Why then, make that error with Islam?

True, there are countries with a majority population of Muslims who don't forbid female circumcision.  However, like the majority Christian Uganda, it is not a religious doctrine, but a twisted cultural phenomenon.  Uganda has shown by example that when religious differences are put aside, much can be accomplished for the common good.  For this, I commend Uganda and urge all nations to follow suit.

A Final Word

Over 140 million women alive today have suffered through this inhumane event.  No woman should ever have to face pain and suffering of this magnitude for any reason.  Kudos to Uganda, therefore, in ensuring that female circumcision never again takes place within their borders.

Qasim Rashid is a contributing member of Majlis Sultanul Qalm, USA (MSQ USA) and regularly writes for Examiner.com and various other publications on topics ranging from Islam to human rights.