Speaker Nasheed describes FGM as sexual abuse

Former President and Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has stated that action will be taken against those advocating and encouraging female genital mutilation or female circumcision.

Nasheed described the practice as sexual abuse in a tweet and stated that a fatwa was not needed for the practice. Nasheed’s statements came after the Islamic Ministry requested for the viewpoint of the Fatwa Council regarding female circumcision.

The request which has now been terminated was made in a letter from the Islamic Minister Dr. Ahmed Zahir sent on January 5, to the president of the Fatwa Council Sheikh Mohamed Rasheed and requested to provide the religious standpoint on female circumcision as soon as possible. Nasheed also noted that child rights protection laws have been passed in the country.

Female circumcision was a common practice in the country before it was eradicated from the country in the 1970s.

Research has shown that it can have a negative and life-threatening effect on children. Efforts by the WHO against the practice has seen it eradicated from several countries. However, there are still some countries where the practice is conducted.