the name of the book is desert flower. she also has a couple of other books and an organization to stop FGM.

I will check it out, Moon30. Thanks! :)

there is a book by Waris Dirie a Somalia-born supermodel who had female circumcision performed on her at the age of 5. I can't remember the name of the book because i read it a long time ago but if you can find it its worth reading.

FGM and circumcision in general are cultural practices through the centuries and certainly not religious ones. Having said that, there is definitely a hygienic/health purpose as far as male circumcision is concerned. I will say that I will definitely require my son(s) to be circumcized insh'allah. I mean, nowadays hospitals routinely perform circumcision anyway regardless of the religious factor, but even if this was not the case, I would have my son(s) circumcized at birth nonetheless.

HIV transmission is less likely when a man is circumcized. Also, my understanding is that there is more sexual pleasure to be gotten (for the man) when he is circumcized as opposed to when he isn't. Besides all that, in the process you fulfill the religious recommendation as well.

As for FGM, it is definitely nothing more than genital mutilation and from the perspective of Islam, it is not required as any kind of self-mutilation is strictly forbidden. There are many African and Middle Eastern cultures that continue to require it after centuries of similar practice and if they are confusing religion with culture and it's mores/requirements, they are sadly mistaken.

Thanks for your input, Aragorn. I don't think it's a case of offending people by discussing this concern. I am interested to hear all of us chime in with our views and opinions.

So-called "Female Genital Mutilation" has a broad variety of manifestations throughout Africa ranging from sewing the female genitalia shut to trimming the prepuse (clitoral hood).

The practice found in the various Ahad?th of the Prophet (sallall?h? `alayh? wa sallam) is regarding trimming of the prepuse, while being careful to leave the clitoris untouched.

There is a physical characteristic unique to certain Afro-Asiatic ethnicities which I won't delve into for decency's sake. If understood, the trimming of the prepuse becomes more logical so that the female may enjoy sexual intercourse more later in life.

This is a very controversial and sensitive subject that I'm not sure can be discussed here without offending some.

was-sal?m