FGM Ban

Last week Egypt's Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa stated that female genital mutilation was forbidden by Islam. Now the Egyptian government has acted:

Egypt has announced that it is imposing a complete ban on female circumcision, also known as genital mutilation.

The announcement follows a public outcry after a young girl died during the operation.

A ban was introduced nearly 10 years ago but the practice continued to be allowed in exceptional circumstances.

A health ministry spokesman said no member of the medical profession would be allowed to perform the operation in public or private establishments...

Recent studies have shown that some 90% of Egyptian women have been circumcised.