Russia furore over FGM in mainly Muslim Dagestan
By BBC, 18 August 2016.
A report on female genital
mutilation (FGM) in the North Caucasus has sparked a fierce debate in Russia,
with some clerics defending the practice.
A report on female genital
mutilation (FGM) in the North Caucasus has sparked a fierce debate in Russia,
with some clerics defending the practice.
Image copyright AFP Image caption Dagestan has many remote
villages and dozens of ethnic groups
villages and dozens of ethnic groups
A civil society group found FGM
to be common among Muslims in mountain villages in Dagestan. Girls’ genitals were
cut in primitive homes.
to be common among Muslims in mountain villages in Dagestan. Girls’ genitals were
cut in primitive homes.
Regional Muslim leader Ismail
Berdiyev suggested all women should undergo FGM but later withdrew the remark.
Berdiyev suggested all women should undergo FGM but later withdrew the remark.
But a senior Orthodox Christian
priest, Vsevolod Chaplin, had backed him.
priest, Vsevolod Chaplin, had backed him.
In
a Facebook post (in Russian), Archpriest Chaplin
expressed “my sympathies for the mufti, and I hope he doesn’t retreat from
his position because of the howls and hysterics which will start now”.
a Facebook post (in Russian), Archpriest Chaplin
expressed “my sympathies for the mufti, and I hope he doesn’t retreat from
his position because of the howls and hysterics which will start now”.
“We Orthodox Christians have
different traditions – but that never stopped us respecting the traditions of
neighbouring peoples,” he wrote.
different traditions – but that never stopped us respecting the traditions of
neighbouring peoples,” he wrote.
He said FGM was not necessary for
Orthodox Christian women “because they’re not promiscuous anyway”.
But he approved of the mufti’s statement that God had created “woman so
that she could give birth and bring up children”.
Orthodox Christian women “because they’re not promiscuous anyway”.
But he approved of the mufti’s statement that God had created “woman so
that she could give birth and bring up children”.
“Feminism is a 20th-Century
lie,” he added.
lie,” he added.
‘Less
debauchery’
debauchery’
Mr Berdiyev, the mufti of the
North Caucasus, had said earlier that FGM was practised in some villages in
Dagestan and that it was necessary to curb women’s sexuality.
North Caucasus, had said earlier that FGM was practised in some villages in
Dagestan and that it was necessary to curb women’s sexuality.
“It would be very good if
this were applied to all women,” the Islamic cleric said, adding, “It
doesn’t stop women giving birth and there would be less debauchery.”
this were applied to all women,” the Islamic cleric said, adding, “It
doesn’t stop women giving birth and there would be less debauchery.”
Speaking later to Russian media,
he said his “joke” had been “twisted” by journalists to
make it look like he advocated FGM.
he said his “joke” had been “twisted” by journalists to
make it look like he advocated FGM.
Some Facebook users lambasted the
priest’s position on FGM. Arik Elman said “you don’t have to sympathise
with Islam in order to know that FGM is not a commonly accepted part of Muslim
tradition, but has regional, tribal roots”.
priest’s position on FGM. Arik Elman said “you don’t have to sympathise
with Islam in order to know that FGM is not a commonly accepted part of Muslim
tradition, but has regional, tribal roots”.
Igor Tetyuev said it was
“not the role of a celibate monk” to “discuss women’s bodies,
childbirth and children”.
“not the role of a celibate monk” to “discuss women’s bodies,
childbirth and children”.
Irina Gubernatorova said
“burning heretics at the stake and drowning witches in sacks were also
ancient and glorious Christian traditions – shall we go back to them?”
“burning heretics at the stake and drowning witches in sacks were also
ancient and glorious Christian traditions – shall we go back to them?”
In its report (in Russian), the Russian Justice
Initiative (RJI) said it had interviewed many women in Dagestan and discovered
that FGM was widespread in mountain villages.
Initiative (RJI) said it had interviewed many women in Dagestan and discovered
that FGM was widespread in mountain villages.
The mutilation – condemned by the
United Nations as “child abuse” – was usually carried out in
primitive conditions, without anaesthetic, on infant girls aged up to three.
United Nations as “child abuse” – was usually carried out in
primitive conditions, without anaesthetic, on infant girls aged up to three.
Women quoted anonymously in the
RJI report said they considered FGM to be a Muslim duty for their daughters.
RJI report said they considered FGM to be a Muslim duty for their daughters.
Usually it involved removal, or
part-removal, of the clitoris and/or labia. But the most extreme form of FGM –
sewing up the vagina to leave a tiny hole – was not done.
part-removal, of the clitoris and/or labia. But the most extreme form of FGM –
sewing up the vagina to leave a tiny hole – was not done.
Girls suffered psychological
trauma, bleeding and painful scarring from FGM.
trauma, bleeding and painful scarring from FGM.
‘Alien
to Islam’
to Islam’
Image copyright AFP Image captionA Dagestan mosque: There is a
general taboo on discussion of FGM in the republic
general taboo on discussion of FGM in the republic
RJI said the subject was taboo in
the mainly Muslim republic, home to many different ethnic groups, the largest
of which are the Avars. FGM was largely ignored by Muslim community leaders,
RJI said.
the mainly Muslim republic, home to many different ethnic groups, the largest
of which are the Avars. FGM was largely ignored by Muslim community leaders,
RJI said.
A senior mufti in Russia’s
Spiritual Administration of Muslims, Rushan Abbyasov, called FGM “alien to
Islamic theology”.
Spiritual Administration of Muslims, Rushan Abbyasov, called FGM “alien to
Islamic theology”.
He said there was no clear Muslim
instruction about FGM and no evidence that it “tames desire”.
instruction about FGM and no evidence that it “tames desire”.
More than 200 million women and
girls around the world have undergone FGM. The UN estimates a further three
million are at risk of being mutilated.
girls around the world have undergone FGM. The UN estimates a further three
million are at risk of being mutilated.
FGM has been documented in 30
countries, mainly in Africa, but also in the Middle East and Asia.
countries, mainly in Africa, but also in the Middle East and Asia.
