Waris Dirie demands consistent action against FGM-supporting doctors

This man is a pediatrician in the US, responsible for the medical treatment of little girls, and he believes that FGM is good for them. Waris Dirie calls his statement
outrageous”.

Dr. Hatem al-Haj, a medical doctor and fellow at the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommends FGM in a paper in Arabic entitled “Circumcision of Girls: Jurisprudence and Medicine” und explains that it is “an honor” for women. As the Bulletin of the Oppression of Women reported recently, he justifies his position by referring repeatedly to the words of classical Islamic scholars from the four schools of Sunni Islamic thought. He also refers to the words of the Prophet Muhammad himself, who reportedly counseled people in his day on how to perform FGM in a way that would be “more beautiful to behold and better for [the woman's] husband.”

“This is outrageous! FGM does not belong to Islam and is not recommended in the Koran. FGM is practiced by Christians in Nigeria, Mali, Ethiopia and Egypt as well as by indigenous religions. It has nothing to do with religion, but is a detestable crime to women and every doctor who advises FGM should have his license revoked. I hope the American Academy of Pediatrics reacts immediately and dismisses him”, said Waris Dirie.

Dr. Hatem al-Haj ignores FGM’s detrimental effects on women’s health. According to the World Health Organization it causes a range of health problems including “severe bleeding and problems urinating, and later cysts, infections, infertility as well as complications in childbirth.”