THE OSLO ISLAMIC FATWA AGAINST FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

Female genital mutilation has sometimes been speculated as being practiced by Muslims, Christians and other faith communities. Is this harmful traditional practice a religious entity or is it a form of violence against women and young girls that has to be brought to light?

VENUE: Clarion hotel, royal Christiania, bishop Gunnerius gt. 3, 0160 Oslo

9.00 - 9.30 Registration, Coffee & Tea

9.30- 9.45 Opening Remarks by her Excellency the Ambassador of South Africa to Norway Ms. Beryl Rose Sisulu

9.45 - 9.50 Introduction: Regina Adahada, President (PAWA)

9.50 - 10.35 Female Genital Mutilation perceived in a religious context and how to fight

against this practice in African societies. Example from the Gambia by

Imam Ibrahim Touray, from the Islamic Council in the Gambia.

10.35 - 11.20 The consequences of female genital mutilation on women and girls seen from a religious woman`s perspective in the Gambian society, Aja Maimuna Savage.

11.20 - 11.35 Short Break

11.35 - 13.00 The perspectives on FGM by two religious Leaders, fighting against this

harmful tradition in the Northern Parts of Nigeria and the struggles they undergo to actualize their goals, by Imam (Dr) Muhammad Nurayn Ashaf & Pastor (Dr) James Movel Wuye from the Interfaith Mediation Centre Kaduna, Nigeria,

13.00- 14.00 Lunch

14.00- 14. 10 A poem on the empowerment of women by a human right activist, Philo

Ikonya

14.10- 14.15 The presentation of her book, on the empowerment of the foreign

women living in the Norwegian society, Elizabeth Urassa

14.15 - 15.00 Looking at the consequences and the fight against female genital

Mutilation in the Scandinavian religious perspective. A case from Sweden

Imam Seddy Janneh from Sweden

15.00- 15.45 How a religious leader in the Norwegian society is working against

Female Genital Mutilation, Imam Sheik Mubarak Abu Jarda

15.45 - 15.50 Closing remarks and conclusion

Vice President of PAWA Benter Adiahmbo

Moderators: Amina Mahama & Christine Mungai

ACTION DAY AGAINST FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION 2010

Black female Self recovery is an expression of a liberatory Political Practice.Choosing wellness is an act of political Resistance. Black women In Norway need to undergo a process of self- recovery that can heal individual and collective wounds that may prevent them from functioning fully.

Traditional therapy, mainstream psychoanalytical practice, often does not consider race as an important issue nor the barriers black women face in their perceptions of themselves and as a result do not adequately address the mental health dilemmas and needs of black women.

It is important that Black Women talk to one another and that we also talk to friends and allies for the telling of our stories enables us to name our suffering and to seek healing.

PAN AFRICAN WOMENS ASSOCIATION IN NORWAY THEREFORE INVITES YOU TO A SEMINAR

26^TH OF SEPTEMBER 2009

AT THE THON HOTEL OPERA OSLO

KL 11:00- kl 17:00

THE FINAL PROGRAMME WILL FOLLOW

FINANCED WITH THE AID OF EXTRA FUNDS FROM THE NORWEGIAN FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH AND REHABILITATION