Islam and Female Circumcision: a study of Indonesian Ulema Council’s Fatwa

on Female genital Mutilation

A. Overview
As a religion that arranged the whole aspects of human life with its concept in
Qur’an and Hadits, Islam has become a blueprint for Muslim, thus ordered its
followers to practice Islam in daily life. Not only for rituals but also such a delicate
and complex issue are regulated as a fixed regulation. However, indeed in a recent
era, Islam has been contended and debated for its tradition, female circumcision for
instance, this long tradition of Islam is in debate.
The discourse more specifically points out in the case of Indonesian Islam in
recent days, as Indoneisan Ulama Councils (MUI) issued a Fatwa on the legal status
of female circumcision. The reason to issue the fatwa came up into debate in order to
respond the policy of Indonesian Ministry of health to ban and prohibit practices on
female genital mutilation that issued in 2007, the intriguing issue arose as it is one of
believed tradition in Muslim society that based on Islamic teaching. Ulema in this
case represented by MUI did not give a good word to the policy, and argued it has
against the Islamic teaching by prohibiting it, thereof MUI by its authority declared
Fatwa on Female Circumcision and asked the ministry of health to recall it.
B. Objectives
The objective of this study will deal with MUI’s fatwa on female circumcision
as it emanated in response to the policy of government, in the other hand social
responses also becomes an important element to be discussed in this paper along with
the importance of it in the daily life of Muslim in Indonesia, would they obey it, or
perhaps they ignore it as also fatwa its not binding.
C. Outline
The outline of the paper will consist:
A. Introduction
In this chapter introductory words will be presented as the bridging point
between female circumcision and Islamic teaching in a general before dealing
with the issue.

B. Female Circumcision In Islam

Classify the origin of circumcision for Muslim and especially for women in
Islamic tradition that based on Verses, prophet tradition and excuses to
perform as such.

C. Derivation of female genital mutilation Fatwa

This main chapter will discuss the process of issuing fatwa, the cause why it
was emanated and the notion brought up either to convince public or to
counter the government’s policy on banning female circumcision.

D. The fatwa on Public essence and its relevance

Even fatwa is not binding that resulted in lacking of punishment, yet observing
public opinion is essential because fatwa is a reflection of social phenomena
and public is an important constituent in this case

E. Conclusion and enclosed document of original Fatwa

Concluding remark of MUI fatwa on Female Genital Circumcision and how it
reflects the society. Also aided by the enclosed document of the original Fatwa