Islamic Scholar Says Anti-FGM Law Violates Religious Rights

A prominent Islamic scholar in Kiang Kaiaf Village, Lower River Region of the Gambia, Mr. Bakary Sanneh, has spoken out against the national ban on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), arguing that the law infringes on religious and cultural rights.

Speaking in March 2026, Mr. Sanneh drew a distinction between what he described as harmful “mutilation” and “female circumcision” (Type I), which he claims is rooted in Sunnah tradition and associated with modesty and cleanliness.

“Proponents of the ban have imposed what they call a ‘worst law’ to satisfy Western donors, ignoring the religious and cultural freedoms guaranteed in the 1997 Constitution,” he said.

Sanneh asserts that, as a Muslim, he believes the practice is religiously rooted. “If it were not good, the religion would have clearly condemned it,” he argued.

However, national data tells a more complex story. According to the Demographic and Health Surveys Program 2019–2020 survey, about 73% of women aged 15–49 in The Gambia have undergone FGM, highlighting how widespread the practice remains.

The same survey shows generational shifts: around 46% of girls under 15 have undergone FGM, indicating a decline compared to older women, but still pointing to continued practice.

Further DHS-based data also reveal that approximately 10.8% of girls under five years old have already been cut, showing that the practice is often carried out at a very early age, sometimes to avoid detection under the law.

Medical evidence strongly contradicts claims of benefit. According to the World Health Organisation, FGM has no health benefits and instead leads to severe complications, including bleeding, infections, childbirth complications, and long-term psychological trauma.

Health experts also reject the idea of “safer” cutting. The vast majority—about 98% of FGM procedures in The Gambia are performed by traditional practitioners rather than medical professionals, raising risks of infection and injury.

From a human rights perspective, FGM is widely condemned. The United Nations and UNICEF classify it as a violation of the rights of women and girls, including the right to health, bodily integrity, and freedom from violence.

Despite frequent religious justifications, many Islamic authorities disagree with Sanneh’s position. Institutions such as Al-Azhar University have stated that FGM is not a requirement in Islam, noting that it is not mentioned in the Qur’an and that many cited hadiths are weak.

In The Gambia, FGM remains deeply tied to social expectations. It is often viewed as a rite of passage and a requirement for marriage, reinforcing pressure on families to conform.

Sanneh acknowledged that the practice may have health implications but insisted that it should not be condemned outright. Instead, he suggested that practitioners be trained to carry it out “properly.”

Yet global health and rights experts warn that such approaches risk legitimising a harmful practice rather than eliminating it.

There are, however, signs of change. According to DHS trends, prevalence among younger girls is lower than among older women, suggesting that awareness campaigns, legal enforcement, and education are gradually shifting attitudes.

Sanneh himself noted a decline in his community. “In the past, circumcision was done massively, but now it is no longer happening like before because authorities condemn it, and people fear conflict with the law,” he said.

The debate reflects a broader national tension—between preserving cultural identity and protecting the health and rights of women and girls.

This story is part of the “Breaking the Silence: Voices of FGM Survivors" podcast funded by the Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development (FORWARD UK).

Author: Nelson Manneh

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