Dagestani Muftiate explains its Fatwa on female circumcision by journalists' interest in the topic

The Fatwa on female circumcision was issued due to journalists' requests; and there were no victims' applications or requests for clarification received from residents in connection with this topic, Naira Makhmudova, the press secretary of the Dagestani Muftiate, has explained.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 12, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM, or Muftiate) of Dagestan announced a Fatwa against female circumcision. On August 16, an official clarification on female circumcision was posted on the Instagram page of the Fatwa Division of the Dagestani Muftiate, stating that the removal of the clitoris or labia cannot be attributed to Islam.

The theological conclusion was made due to journalists' requests, while there were no applications from victims or requests for clarification from residents in connection with this topic, Naira Makhmudova, the press secretary of the Dagestani Muftiate, has of explained today in her comment to the RIA "Novosti".

"Perhaps, single cases [of female circumcision] could have been somewhere, but there were no applications to the SAM from women-victims on this issue. If there was at least one appeal, this issue would have been discussed earlier. Even gynaecologists say that they have never faced the phenomenon. Journalists turned to us for an explanation; therefore, we decided now to give a theological conclusion (Fatwa)," Ms Makhmudova has explained.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 19, 2020 at 07:20 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.