During a conference in Cairo organized by Target, the German human rights group, Muslim scholars called for an end to female genital mutilation, and for governments to punish those who carry it out by enforcing existing laws. Female circumcision is the surgical removal of the clitoris, hence depriving women of sensitivity in their sexual organs. Although it is relatively unknown in most parts of the Muslim world, including South and Southeast Asia, North Africa, and Saudi Arabia, it is still widespread in certain parts of Africa and the Middle East.

Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi, Sunni Islam’s top authority, told the conference, “From a religious point of view, I don’t find anything that says that circumcision is a must [for women]. In Islam, circumcision is for men only.” Those supporting the practice argued that it reduces licentious behavior in girls and was not prohibited by Islam. This is the first time Muslim scholars actually prohibited the practice, rather than just speaking out against it. They described it as an aggression against women and stressed that Islam forbids people from harming others.

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