I

n addition to preventing HIV/AIDs, circumcision'€™s other benefits include the prevention of prostate cancer. Research at the Universiy of Quebec'€™s INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier in Montreal, Canada, says that circumcision reduces the risk of infection of sexually transmitted diseases that are one of the causes of prostate cancer.

It also helps prevent kidney and bladder infections. According to research conducted by Brian Morris, a professor of molecular medicine from Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, noted that boys who were not circumcised were ten times more likely to experience infections of the kidney, bladder and urethra than boys who were circumcised.

They believe that God'€™s creation should not be changed. If the body cannot be altered in any way, than how are doctors who perform surgery supposed to cure their patients? It is same case with circumcision, circumcision is done for the sake of health and does not intend to change God'€™s creation.

The practice is widely believed to be something that is done by Muslims and Christians. This is an example of self-righteous thinking that leads to conflict. Don'€™t misunderstand the government'€™s aim as wanting everyone to do things as Muslims do, the ultimate goal is to improve health and prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Don'€™t look at this as a habit of the religion of Islam or any other religion, because it is not related.

There may be other ways to prevent HIV, such as by using condoms. However, I think this is very expensive. If you have sex every day, then you are going to buy condoms every day too. Compare that with a circumcision that only needs to be performed once in a person'€™s lifetime. Maybe money is not a problem for you, but don'€™t you think about the impact of the condom waste you produce each day?

Mustika Diyah Saputri
Jakarta