FGM is not an Islamic Religion Obligations

HARGEISA – The practice of Female Genital Mutilation-FGM has been termed as not only abhorrent but a denial of rights. This was said by the minister of Religion & endowments Hon Sheikh Khalil Abdilahi during an FGM awareness raising workshop organized by the National Organization of Women-NOW where the minister stressed on the importance of separating religious and traditional tenets.

The religion & endowments minister said that the practice of FGM which is responsible for much suffering among women on whom it had been perpetrated urged parents to ensure that that future generations of women are protected from this suffering, Said he, "Stop mutilating your daughters as FGM is not an Islamic practice"

The one day workshop which was entertained with songs and a play that depicted the ill after effects of FGM was implemented by NOW at its headquarters in Hargeisa and funded by Toostan international; saw a diversified leadership in attendance including ministers, Members of parliament, religious leaders as well as with over 100 participating women representing NOW regional branches countrywide.

According to the deputy health minister Hon Nimo Hussein Qawdan, women can only take their proper place in the decision making process once the abhorrent and destructive practice of FGM is stopped completely.

Hon Nimo revealed that the administration of H.E Ahmed Mahmoud Silanyo-President of Somaliland plans to support various anti-FGM awareness raising campaigns nationwide especially in rural areas where the practice is still rampant, Said she, "We ask all FGM stakeholders to work in concert thus raise awareness on the ills of FGM and more specifically, FGM's non relation to the Islamic religion" (...)