Mufti's 'hymen fatwa' causes shock waves among scholars

[Diamond Cross]

By Yasmine Saleh
First Published: February 20, 2007

CAIRO: Reconstructive hymen surgery for women who lost their virginity before marriage is halal (religiously permissible), said to Aly Gomaa, the
Grand Mufti of Egypt.

Gomaa, the highest authority with the power to issue a fatwa (religious edict), appeared the popular terrestrial Channel Two’s talk show El Beit Beitek, where he condoned the controversial fatwa, released by Soad Saleh, the ex-dean of the faculty of Islamic studies at Al-Azhar University and noted scholar.

Shiekh Khaled El Gindy, an Al-Azhar scholar and member of the Higher Council of Islamic Studies told The Daily Star Egypt that he agrees with the new fatwa.

"Islam never differentiates between men and women, so it is not rational for us to think that God has placed a sign to indicate the virginity of women without having a similar sign to indicate the virginity of men," El Gindy said.

"Any man who is concerned about his prospective wife’s hymen should first provide a proof that he himself is virgin," he added.

El Gindy voiced his full support for Gomaa.

Not only did Gomaa acknowledge the fatwa but asked women who will undergo the contentious surgery not to tell their future spouses about it, since this is not a question of honesty.

"If God wants us to know everything about each other, He would have given us the ability to read each others' minds, so why did he not do so? Perhaps maybe someone would have a wrong idea about you now but will change it later," Gomaa said.

Even more shocking to many observers, Gomaa said that if a married woman had sexual intercourse with another man but truly regretted her actions and asked God for forgiveness, she should not tell her husband.

"According to Sharia, if a husband knew that his wife had sexual intercourse with anyone else, he should divorce her, so by not telling him she would be protecting her home and her life," he explained.

The fatwa has led to much controversy within Al-Azhar and Egyptian society as a whole.

In Upper Egypt honor crimes are still committed. If a woman loses her virginity out of wedlock, she is considered a big shame on everyone and deserves to die.

In response to such ideas, El Gindy told The Daily Star Egypt that, "Islam does not care for the feelings of ignorant people, just as the law does not protect the idiots."

Link:

Daily Star Egypt - Full Article

I don't know whether to laugh or cry on this one. There's just so much stupidity in it I don't know where to begin. Ah well, dieing is easy, religion is hard.

[7960]

Originally Posted by Diamond Cross

"Islam never differentiates between men and women, .....

What fucking moran said this? Islam most certainly DOES differentiate between men and women. Just ask her

Woman killed over 'dress code': World: News: News24

[jimeigh]

imagine if they applied that kind of logic to practical sorts of laws.

"stealing is against the law, but not if you keep it a secret."

[thomez]

"Even more shocking to many observers, Gomaa said that if a married woman had sexual intercourse with another man but truly regretted her actions and asked God for forgiveness, she should not tell her husband."



at least Islam is admitting they have plenty of whores too!

[kinggovernor]

this is awesome

[RMNIXON]

I am sure the feminist organizations in America will have plenty to say about this!


Oh wait.....

[RMNIXON]

Originally Posted by thomez

at least Islam is admitting they have plenty of whores too!

If being Gay is biological then they probably have plenty of gay people also. But when it can be a death sentence in some Islamic countries don't have a parade!

[Kytro]

At least it is a better viewpoint than many other Islamic leaders seem to have.