CAIRO: A fatwa (religious edict) banning the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) recently posted on Sheikh Youssef Al-Qaradawi's website can help eradicate the practice in Egypt, say politicians and activists. "Sheikh Youssef Al-Qaradawi has his weight in the Islamic world as a whole, and he is more credible than other institutions [like Al Azhar], said Nehad Aboul Komsan, chairperson of the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights. "Al Azhar, unfortunately, has a governmental tint, which deducts from its credibility. The content of the fatwa, which was posted upon inquiries sent to Al-Qaradawi, states that though there is no evidence in Sharia to prohibit or require female circumcision, the practice, as it is being performed today, is contrary to Islamic teachings because of the physical, emotional and psychological damage caused to women. The fatwa also asserts that this practice is tantamount to "changing God's creation, which is prohibited in Islam. Egypt's Grand Mufti Sheikh Ali Gomaa had previously issued a fatwa banning female circumcision in 2007. Yet Hamdy Hassan, Muslim Brotherhood MP, agrees with Aboul Komsan that Al-Qaradawi has a different status than scholars of Al-Azhar or Dar El-Ifta, the Egyptian Islamic Legislation Authority, because he is considered independent of government influence. "A fatwa like this will resonate within the society, he said. Nevertheless, Aboul Komsan says there's a possibility that most Egyptians will not be affected by this fatwa. "[The bulk of] Egyptian society does not read things on the internet. Unless the media points it out, the effect of the fatwa will be limited. In 2008, the People's Assembly passed a legislation criminalizing FGM. However, the law faced opposition, particularly by Sheikh Youssef Al-Badry, who sued Health Minister Hatem El-Gabaly for outlawing a practice Al-Badry says is permissible under Sharia.
