Stepan’s deep respect for Muslims was an extension of his general respect to all human beings, a reflection of his independent and curious mind, and big and compassionate heart. In memoriam. Alfred and Ahmet, Tunisia 2013. Author’s photograph.Alfred Stepan, a world-renowned political scientist, passed away on September 27 at the age…
Circumcision, eating restrictions and resting on Shabbat differentiated Jews from the polytheistic nations of the Hellenist world and the Roman Empire. But during the period of the Jewish commonwealth and most of the Persian period, residents of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah didn’t circumcise their sons. All the kings…
The Somali women that Djesa describes in her PhD thesis on female genital mutilation often feel patronised by Norwegian health personnel. Credit: iStockphoto Lack of communication hampers the prevention of female genital mutilation, according to anthropologist Rachel Issa Djesa. She has observed encounters between Norwegian authorities, health personnel and Somali…
Tariq Ramadan, an Islamic scholar whom Oxford University treats as a feather in its cap, recently shocked the world by meticulously trying to avoid any criticism of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Instead, he asserted that it is a part of Islamic tradition and an internal matter for Muslims in the…
Candice Malcolm of TheRebel.media reports on occurrences of female genital mutilation in North America and asks why feminists have been silent.
This fall, a United States district judge will hear a landmark case: For the first time, the federal government is pursuing a case of female genital mutilation on American soil. Defense lawyers have said they will argue a freedom of religion defense – setting the stage for an explosive test…
Female genital mutilation (FGM) was long seen as an “over there” problem; it is now an “everywhere problem.” In a Skype conversation, London-based FGM survivor Hibo Wardere said the Detroit FGM trial has forced Americans to open their eyes to a brutal practice that happens within their own borders. For…
ICE has launched an outreach program targeting female genital mutilation (FGM) at JFK Airport to safeguard young women from the outlawed practice, according to an ICE news release. The pilot program, called “Operation Limelight USA,” aims to “Safeguard and prevent young girls from being subjected to FGM by informing passengers travelling…
Elizabeth Ralyea remembers people holding her arms and legs while she screamed and kicked at the woman who approached with a razor blade. She thinks she was about 6, or maybe 8, and she was living with her family in the West African country of Burkina Faso. The elder woman…