Serves me right for not reading Gambia-l postings before sending my own. I
just sent a post on this same Point article about "Imam" Leigh. You can't
say too much about the man, though.

Ousman


>From: Joe Sambou <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: 4th Branch of the Government Speaks - Imam Fatty
>Date: Mon, 13 May 2002 18:41:37 +0000
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>Uh! Uh! Uh!
>
>Chi Jaama
>
>Joe Sambou
>
>Imam Fatty Calls For Circumcision
>
>
>The State House Imam, Alhagie Abdoulie Fatty, has called on Gambian
>communities to circumcise their children, saying that the ongoing anti FGM
>campaign is West- motivated, calculated to undermine Gambia’s cultural
>norms
>and values. The Imam, who has made a name for himself for his stance in
>favour of FGM, accused the West of sponsoring certain non governmental
>organisations in the country in a bid to propagate an anti FGM campaign.
>“The whole campaign against FGM is Western motivated, because, for example,
>if you look at the NGOs fighting against FGM, they are sponsored by the
>West. It is aimed at undermining our traditional beliefs,” said Imam Fatty.
>
>Imam Fatty said female circumcision would help to reduce the sexual passion
>of women and those engaged in the practice have very good reasons of doing
>it. “I am appealing to the communities doing female circumcision to
>continue
>with the practice, because it is recognised by Islam. The only thing is
>they
>should abide by the teachings of sharia and do it the way it is compatable
>with the teachings of Shaira’ said the Imam, while calling on Gambain
>authorities to create clinics that will help to take care of children
>during
>circumcision.
>
>The Imam added that female circumcision has been going on for the past
>thousand years and called on those opposed to the practice to give peace to
>communities so that they could continue with the practice which has been
>recognised by Islam. Reacting to the story Imam Baba Leigh, who is in
>charge
>of religious affairs at the Gambia Committee Against Traditional Harmful
>practices or (Gamcotrap), said: “I am yet to be convinced that female
>circumcision is a Western motivated thing to undermine our religion and our
>traditional beliefs in the sense that not all Muslims are doing it and it
>is
>not a religious injunction.
>
>There is no proof that the Prophet and his family has practised it or he
>advised people to practise it.” While conceding that female circumcision is
>a deeply rooted culture, Imam Leigh said the fight against FGM requires
>vigorous campaign. He observed that FGM has a negative impact on the lives
>of children, noting that some of these kids exposed to the practice usually
>experienced a lot of pain and trauma. He added some of the instrument used
>to circumcise the children are not sterilised and could be deadly to
>children.
>
>“Cutting the genital part of a woman, is Islamically unacceptable simply
>because medical personnels know the harmful side of it, and with this
>generation at that when we are talking about HIV/AIDS and all the stds. It
>is more than the word dangerious, so if you are encouraging people to
>circumcise their children under this circumstances really, it is imortant
>for people to review your position in the society. Do you love society? the
>Kanifing East Imam asked.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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Ousman
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