Changes

'''Female genital mutilation''' (FGM), sometimes referred to euphemistically as "female circumcision", refers to various forms of permanent and harmful operations performed on the private parts of girls or women. Although not exclusively [[Islam]]ic — some Christians, Jews, and animists have also been known to practice it — FGM is primarily an Islamic practice and is promoted by some Islamic religious leaders.<ref>Munro, Neil (April 13, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/04/13/feds-promise-protect-half-million-genital-mutilation/ Feds Promise to Protect Half a Million American Girls from Genital Mutilation]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 14, 2017.</ref><ref>Roys, Julie (May 8, 2017). [http://thefederalist.com/2017/05/08/fear-islam-not-enable-female-genital-mutilation-inside-united-states/ Fear Of Islam Should Not Enable Female Genital Mutilation Inside The United States]. ''The Federalist''. Retrieved June 14, 2017.</ref><ref>Khan, Aysha (April 27, 2017). [http://religionnews.com/2017/04/27/the-splainer-what-is-female-genital-mutilation-and-what-does-it-have-to-do-with-islam/ The ’Splainer: What is female genital mutilation, and what does it have to do with Islam?]. ''Religion News Service''. Retrieved June 14, 2017.</ref>

'''Female genital mutilation''' (FGM), sometimes referred to euphemistically as "female circumcision", refers to various forms of permanent and harmful operations performed on the private parts of girls or women. Although not exclusively [[Islam]]ic — some Christians, Jews, and animists have also been known to practice it — FGM is primarily an Islamic practice.<ref>Munro, Neil (April 13, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/04/13/feds-promise-protect-half-million-genital-mutilation/ Feds Promise to Protect Half a Million American Girls from Genital Mutilation]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 14, 2017.</ref><ref>Roys, Julie (May 8, 2017). [http://thefederalist.com/2017/05/08/fear-islam-not-enable-female-genital-mutilation-inside-united-states/ Fear Of Islam Should Not Enable Female Genital Mutilation Inside The United States]. ''The Federalist''. Retrieved June 14, 2017.</ref><ref>Khan, Aysha (April 27, 2017). [http://religionnews.com/2017/04/27/the-splainer-what-is-female-genital-mutilation-and-what-does-it-have-to-do-with-islam/ The ’Splainer: What is female genital mutilation, and what does it have to do with Islam?]. ''Religion News Service''. Retrieved June 14, 2017.</ref> Religious leaders of various faiths promote it as a part of their tradition, and until the 1960s some Western medical doctors performed the procedure.

Female genital mutilation is extremely rare in the West but is widely practiced in parts of [[Asia]], the [[Middle East]], and East [[Africa]], especially but not exclusively where Islam predominates.   

Female genital mutilation is extremely rare in the West but is widely practiced in parts of [[Asia]], the [[Middle East]], and East [[Africa]], especially but not exclusively where Islam predominates.