The topic has sparked discussion among scholars, religious leaders, activists and social media commentators on the legality of FGM in Islam after a bill to repeal the FGM Bill and allow the practice was tabled by Hon. Almameh Gibba, National Assembly Member for Foni Kansala.
Clarifying the legality of and stance on FGM in Islam and the council, GSIC vice president Cadi Omar Secka yesterday said “it is Islamic” more so with the teachings of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for women to go through the practice.
“The GSIC would like to clarify that female circumcision is not a merely inherited custom as falsely claimed by those who are clueless about Islamic law,” he declared. “Rather, it is one of the virtues of Islam and among the Sunnah practices dictated by the Messenger of Allah - Peace be Upon Him.” He quoted the Prophet having said that “circumcision” is one of the "five practices that are characteristics of the Fitr”.
According to Cadi Secka, female circumcision is considered legitimate and legal in Islam based on several established hadiths on the authority of the Prophet, adding that Muslim jurists have different opinions on whether it is obligatory or a recommended act of Sunnah.
“It was not reported by any of the reliable Muslim scholars denying the legality of female circumcision in the manner prescribed by the Messenger of Allah; peace be upon him,” Cadi Secka stated, giving reason for that: “That is because the noble Sharia never recognises anything that causes harm to people, be it health or physical.”
The GSIC vice president said further that the council also considered the legal form of female circumcision to involve cutting off only a tiny upper part of the clitoris without removing it or touching any part of the labia, which “runs contrary to what is known as (Female Genital Mutilation) and does not entail the removal of the genital organ, or what is known as Pharaonic circumcision”.
About the Pharaonic circumcision, he said: “Muslim Jurists have agreed that this type is illegal because of the harm it inflicts on women. In this context, the GSIC calls on the government of The Gambia to reconsider the law criminalising female circumcision and to hold anyone who practices such accountable because, as Muslims, religion is the most precious thing we have in this life.”
