Issue: Circumcision ‘too Islamic’ for Papuan churches

Nov. 8, p. 1

The government has recommended circumcision for people in Papua over the past two years as a new approach to curbing rapid increases in cases of HIV/AIDS infection.

In other parts of Indonesia, circumcision is common and is part of a culture that has been preserved within the community over many generations. In Papua, however, people do not always prioritize common practices in place of the lingering presence of older practices.

Your comments:

The brouhaha about circumcision and its alleged “benefits” was spearheaded by certain groups with their own agendas, mostly in the US (where else?), where people are manipulated into becoming dumb and dumber in an appalling way.

Through deception, millions of American men have been circumcised for decades. Now we are seeing Papuans being circumcised to help curb HIV, some claim.

The question here is: How come Papuans are infected with HIV at all? Have infected prostitutes been sent there on purpose? Papua is known for its immense natural resources. How many non-Papuans are being sent there? Who could be interested in having the Papuans circumcised?

Edo E.

Many professionals have criticized studies claiming that circumcision reduces HIV transmission. They have various flaws. Authorities that cite the studies have other agendas. Circumcision causes physical, sexual, and psychological harm. Other methods in preventing HIV transmission (condoms and sterilizing medical instruments) are much more effective, much cheaper, and much less invasive.

Ronald Goldman

Why are children being circumcised? Children do not have sex, and will grow up to want to choose their own way of protecting themselves against HIV. By that time, there may be a vaccine. Cutting the genitals of non-consenting people is a human rights violation. The World Health Organization only recommends cutting adult volunteers.

Hugh

The Koran does not explicitly demand the male or female circumcision. It is not mentioned in the Koran. The Muslim men are circumcised (in most cases), because the Prophet was already circumcised.

We Muslims are following the Sunna in this particular case.

Rahim

My peaceful parents were not devout Muslims. I grew up in a non-devout environment, which gave the influence that unless one was circumcised, he wouldn’t be manly enough to make a girl smile.

I was circumcised when I was in senior high school. I was scared, but happy with all the gifts and a new sarong. We should know, however, that men and women were biologically created to match each other.

Ignorance has encouraged the circumcision of men and women (in some parts of the world).

Moeljono Adikoesoemo
Jakarta