Abdoulaye,

Your presentation on this subject matter is informative and eloquent. Your
distinction of
this issue as not being a religious matter but rather a social issue helps in
filtering the
environment that surrounds this debate,especially those who do not understand
our
customary practices.
Considering the fact that there is universal culture and specific culture,where
can the
line be drawn between the two. Am I understanding you properly when you said in
your presentation and I quote " When it comes to issues of human and peoples
rights, I am a universalist and on the side of the debate that argues that
despite our cultural differences, universal moral standards and norms are
possible and that many standards of morality are based on different and often
divergent customs"Who qualifies what is included in the universal moral
standards. What is the
basis for this qualification?

Correct me if I'm wrong that culture is a total way of life of a group of people
and it varies from
a group of people to another group of people bearing in mind that morals
pertains to conduct
or character from the point of right and wrong.

I solicit your help in clarifying these concerns.

Beran







                -----Original Message-----
                From:   Abdoulaye Saine [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
                Sent:   Monday, October 16, 2000 4:36 PM
                To:     [log in to unmask]
                Subject:        Female Circumcision as a Human Rights Issue

                 << File: The Role of Women in Development.doc >> G-L Community:

                I have followed the debate over female circumcision/female
genital
                mutilation with great interest and wanted to inject another
dimension
                that is seldom or not explicitly made, i.e., "FMG/FC as a Human
Rights
                Issue."

                Consequently, I would like to share with you the remarks I made
at
                Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minnesota, on Saturday, October 14, when
men in
                this state honored Gambian Women, Gambian Women in Chicago and
Women
                married to Gambian Men in the Twin-Cities. It was a very
sumptuous and
                celebratory gala that deserves emulation.

                To the folks in the Twin-Cities, Minnesota, thank you for your
                hospitality and for the fifth banquet honoring Gambian Women.

                Regards,

                Abdoulaye

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