MAURITANIAN IMAMS ISSUE FATWA AGAINST FEMALE

UNCLAS NOUAKCHOTT 000057

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SCUL MR
SUBJECT: MAURITANIAN IMAMS ISSUE FATWA AGAINST FEMALE
GENITAL MUTILATION


1. (U) On January 12, thirty-four of Mauritania's highest
religious figures issued a fatwa prohibiting Female Genital
Mutilation (FGM). After an in-depth study of FGM practices
in Mauritanian society, a discussion of their medical impact
and a religious debate; religious authorities decided that
FGM poses a threat to women's health and well-being and is
not a religious obligation. The fatwa states that FGM "has
been declared dangerous by experts at the moment of
performing the cutting and afterwards. This practice is
forbidden given the dangers it entails." The authors based
their decision that FGM is not mandated by Islam on the works
of Shari'a expert Ibn al-Hajj, which state "female
circumcision was not present in the Maghbreb through
centuries."


2. (U) PolOff met January 21 with Secretary General of the
Forum of Islamic Thought and Dialogue Among Cultures Dr.
Cheikh Ould Zeine Limame. Limame explained that the January
11-12 symposium leading to the fatwa was the last of three
symposiums organized by the Forum of Islamic Thought and
funded by German development agency GTZ. The previous two
events were held in 2007 and 2008. The fatwa, he explains,
reinforces provisions of the December 2005 Child Protection
Law ordering prosecution of those who "damage the genital
organs of a girl." According to Limame, the law has been
ineffective because many believe FGM is a religious
obligation. The fatwa prevents people from hiding behind the
religious mask. "Those who perform FGM should know that they
will be prosecuted," he said. Limame explained that the
imams and the government alike view FGM as a public health
problem. This practice is still common in the Brakna,
Gorgol, Assaba and Hodh Ech Chargui regions, particularly
among the Soninke but it is present in all ethnic groups,
including the Moors. When asked why no women participated in
the symposium, he stated that the event gathered only
religious leaders and Islamic law experts and that there are
currently no women among them.


3. (U) Imam Hamden Ould Tah, one of Mauritania's highest
religious authorities and President of the Oulema
Association, told PolOff on January 21 that for the fatwa and
law to be effective, the government and religious authorities
need to conduct national awareness campaigns. "The fatwa is
a centralized order that now needs to trickle down to other
Imams and to the population," he stated. "We are looking
into organizing a series of regional education seminars to
inform imams and the public about the law, the fatwa and to
raise awareness about other issues such as forced feeding and
violence against women. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs,
Ministry of Health, Ministry of Female Promotion and Justice
should be associated, he explained. Comment: On January 23,
the Forum of Islamic Thought and Imam Tah submitted a project
to the Embassy requesting funding for this regional awareness
campaign. End comment.


4. (U) Charge commended Mauritania for the fatwa against
FGM in a January 24 meeting with the Minister of Islamic
Affairs Ahmed Ould Neini (himself an imam seen as a leader of
moderation). The Minister's Secretary General quickly noted
that the Minister had been a driving force in getting the
religious leadership to take on the issue.


5. (U) Comment: In Mauritania, the backing of religious
leaders carries significant weight among the population.
National NGOs working on FGM have been trying to get the
Islamic heirarchy to come out against FGM for years.
Gathering the support of provincial imams and conducting
effective education and public health campaigns at the
regional level could potentially help eradicate the practice
of FGM. Effective law enforcement would also be necessary to
ensure the law is applied and those who break it are held
accountable. End comment.
HANKINS