Female genital mutilation defended in article on ‘Muslims in Calgary’ website
By Candice Malcolm
First posted: Tuesday, September 05, 2017 01:44 PM EDT | Updated: Tuesday, September 05, 2017 01:49 PM EDT
‘Muslims in Calgary’ has an article on its website defending the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM).
In the undated article entitled Female Circumcision in Islam, author Asiff Hussein claims both that FGM is “an Islamic practice” and that it “brings untold benefits to women.”
Hussein discusses the 2009 ruling by Malaysia’s National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs that FGM was mandatory for Muslim women, noting that he “could not find anything objectionable in it.”
He states that more “barbaric forms of FGM practised in sub-Saharan Africa” are counter to Shariah Law, but advocates for what he calls a “relatively minor” procedure that cuts the skin covering the clitoris.
The article cites several hadiths — writings that supplement the Qur’an in providing religious guidance for Muslims — that advocate for FGM to demonstrate the historic and Islamic basis for the practice.
Hussein makes a case for the supposed health benefits, while also admitting the practice reduces what he calls “the excessive sexual arousal in women.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) condemns all forms of FGM, which is practiced today in more than 30 countries and has been carried out on 200 million girls and women worldwide.
According to WHO guidelines, “there are no known health benefits” to FGM. The WHO unequivocally states that “female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights (and it) must never be performed.”
Hussein’s article is also full of racist and anti-Semitic statements.
He blames “the Jews” for leading the criticism against FGM, and claims the “Jewish controlled media” is responsible for the negative attitude towards this practice.
The website features an opinion disclaimer, stating the views in the article are that of the individual author, “solely meant for education, discussion and debate, not for any illegal purpose.” The disclaimer also states that the author is not affiliated with the ‘Muslims in Calgary’ website.
Asiff Hussein is a Sri Lankan writer, and it is unclear why his controversial article is posted on the ‘Muslims in Calgary’ website.
According to Lisa Daftari, founder of the Foreign Desk news site, Hussein posted the same article on Facebook in May 2016. Facebook removed the post, however, stating “it violated our Community Standards.”
The website ‘Muslims in Calgary’ (MuslimsinCalgary.ca) is privately registered and while it does not have a big following on social media, it states its objective is to “provide leadership and guidance to Muslims in Calgary.”
The professionally designed site is full of controversial articles presenting a strict and fundamentalist interpretation of Islam.
The site provides contact information for several Islamic centres and organizations, as well as for “community sheikhs.” One of these listed sheikhs, Hacene bin Mohamed, told the Sun that his name was added without consultation, and he assumes the same applies to others listed.
“It is good that they are referring people to official imams for help,” he said in an email, “but at the same time we are worried about the accuracy of the information.”
“I do believe the owners live in Calgary,” he continued, “however, it seems that they do not want to disclose their identity.”
There is reason to be concerned about increased incidents of female genital mutilation in Canada. A recent internal CBSA report reveals that border officers have been put on alert to watch for FGM practitioners entering Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently removed the strict warning against FGM in Discover Canada — the citizenship guide given to all newcomers to Canada.
Female Circumcision in Islam – Muslims in Calgary
Muslims in Calgary
Female genital mutilation defended in article on
Man's parents flew from India to reportedly help 'discipline' wife
Postmedia Network
First posted: Tuesday, September 05, 2017 10:27 AM EDT | Updated: Tuesday, September 05, 2017 10:34 AM EDT
A Florida man’s parents travelled from India to allegedly aide in abusing their son’s “disobedient” wife.
According to Fox 13, cops allege the man's elders held Silky Gaind against her will while her hubby, Devbir Kalsi, 33, beat her to “counsel and discipline” the woman for being “disobedient.”
Deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office were dispatched early Saturday morning after receiving a distress call from Gaind, 33.
WUSA 9 reported cops arrived at the family home in Riverview, Fla., and knocked on the door.
When a deputy continued to knock, Gaind attempted to open the door while screaming for help, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The deputy forced his way into the home as Kalsi attempted to shut the door.
Kalsi and his parents – father Jasbir Kalsi, 67, and mother Bhupinder Kalsi, 62 – were detained.
Gaind was found badly beaten with bruises all over her body. An infant inside the home appeared unharmed, Fox 13 reported.
Cops allege Gaind had a knife held to her throat and her cell phone confiscated.
Kalsi was charged with false imprisonment, battery, child abuse and denying access to 911. Jasbir Kalsi was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, child abuse and denying access to 911. Bhupinder Kalsi was charged with battery-domestic violence and failure to report child abuse.
The three accused could be deported back to India.
Devbir Kalsi, along with his parents: mother Bhupinder Kalsi, and father Jasbir Kalsi, were arrested in connection to the beating of Silky Gaind, 33. (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)
Deputies Rescue Woman Held Captive and Beaten By Her Family - Story | FOX 13 Tampa Bay
Man, parents held wife, child against will, abused her, deputies say | WUSA9.com
Parents travel from India to help son beat wife, say deputies | Tampa Bay Times
Man's parents flew from India to reportedly help 'discipline' wife | World | New