October 22, 2025
🎥 Whenever the causes of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM for short) are discussed in the mainstream discourse, a statement is always made to the effect that FGM can’t be Islamic because it’s not mentioned in the Koran.
But is it true that the Koran makes no mention of FGM? And if so, does it mean that FGM is not Islamic? To answer these questions, we first need to know what makes an act or belief Islamic.
The will of Allah is the Koran; the example of Mohammed is in the Sunna. The Sunna is everything Mohammed did, said, was, and tacitly approved of (noticed, and did not criticize). The Sunna is found in two texts: the Sira—the life of Mohammed, told in chronological order—and the hadiths, eyewitness reports of Mohammed’s acts, speech, character and approvals. If a belief or practice is in the Koran, it is Islamic. If a belief or practice is in the Sunna it is Islamic.
So, is FGM an Islamic practice or not? Watch this 10-minute video to find out. Presented by Julian Flynn, CSPII FGM Research Specialist
🎥 Lecture: "Female Genital Mutilation in Islamic Doctrine"
[ A ] 54min full version (18+ viewers only)
[ B ] 47min redacted version (unrestricted)