Islamic studies scholar Armina Omerika: “Muslims need new ways to approach their religious heritage”

The German Evangelical Church′s relationship with Luther shows Muslims that it′s possible to find and develop a way of engaging critically with your own religious tradition, says Islamic studies scholar Armina Omerika in an interview with Canan Topcu. When did you first hear about Martin Luther? Armina Omerika: I think I heard his name for…

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Another doctor, wife charged with female genital mutilation in Michigan

According to an unsealed criminal complaint, while a doctor removed parts of the girls’ genitals, the wife of the clinic owner held the girls’ hands “in order to comfort them.” Dr. Fakhruddin Attar, 53, and his wife, Farida Attar, 50, both of Livonia, were arrested Friday morning at the Burhani Medical Clinic, where the alleged cuttings…

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Michigan Doctor Charged With Performing Female Genital Mutilation On Girls

Jumana Nagarawala, a Michigan emergency room doctor has been charged with performing female genital mutilation on multiple girls of about the age of seven.  The doctor was also charged, “transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity” — a reference to FGM — and making false statements to a federal officer. The criminal complaint…

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Leading imam quits as debate over women’s ‘hypersexuality’ boils over at major U.S. mosque

Shaker Elsayed, the lead imam of Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Va., one of the nation’s largest and oft-embattled mosques, drew a wave of condemnation from young Muslim activists after he he appeared to endorse a certain form of female genital mutilation as sometimes necessary to prevent “hypersexuality.” In response, Johari Abdul-Malik, a fellow imam…

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Female Doctor denies genital mutilation; judge keeps her locked up

A Detroit-area doctor charged with performing genital mutilation on two 7-year-old girls denied the allegations through her lawyer Monday, insisting that she conducted a benign religious ritual for families of a Muslim sect. It’s the first time someone has been charged with violating a U.S. ban on genital mutilation. Shannon Smith, defense lawyer of Dr….

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