The Cultural Practice Of Circumcision: Exploring Afghanistan's Traditions And Beliefs

Afghanistan has the highest prevalence of male circumcision in the world, with a rate of 99.7%. Most Afghan boys are circumcised between the ages of two and five by religious elders who say a prayer before removing the foreskin with a knife, usually without anaesthetic. However, in some cases, boys may be plunged into icy water before the ritual to numb any pain. Circumcision is an important rite of passage for Muslim males, and Afghanistan is a Muslim-majority country. The procedure is also accepted by non-Muslims for health and hygiene reasons.

Circumcision is a common ritual in Afghanistan, with 99.7% of males circumcised

The ritual holds significant importance in the country, as evidenced by the mass circumcision of boys organised by Turkish troops in Kabul. The event, which was supervised by army doctors from the Gulhame Military Medical Academy in Turkey, aimed to help Afghan families whose sons had missed the important ceremony for various reasons. During the mass circumcision, the procedure was performed with local anaesthetic, a departure from the traditional method employed by religious elders.

The circumcision ritual in Afghanistan involves the removal of the foreskin of a male's penis, typically using a knife or a soldering iron gun. While some consider it a religious rite of passage, others view it as a medical procedure with health and hygiene benefits. However, the ritual is not without risks, and complications may arise that require treatment beyond the capabilities of the practitioner.

The high prevalence of circumcision in Afghanistan is not unique among Muslim-majority countries, as they all exhibit a prevalence above 90%. In contrast, the practice is relatively rare in Europe, Latin America, and most of Asia, except for a few outliers like the Philippines (92.5% prevalence). The United States also stands out with an estimated 79% male circumcision prevalence, despite having a relatively small Jewish and Muslim population.

The procedure is usually performed on boys between the ages of two and five

In Afghanistan, circumcision is a common ritual and is performed on a significant percentage of boys. The procedure is usually carried out on boys between the ages of two and five by religious elders. It is considered an important rite of passage for Muslim males and is also accepted by non-Muslims for health and hygiene reasons.

The ritual involves the removal of the foreskin of the penis with a knife, often without the use of anaesthesia. In some cases, boys may be immersed in icy water before the procedure to numb the pain. However, in recent years, there have been efforts to make the procedure more medicalised, with local anaesthesia being administered and modern tools being used to cut and seal the wound.

While circumcision is a widely practised tradition in Afghanistan, there are concerns about the lack of safeguards, especially in rural areas. Complications may arise that require treatment beyond the capabilities of the practitioner performing the procedure. As a result, it is not uncommon for locals to seek care at military medical facilities or hospitals for complications related to circumcision.

The prevalence of circumcision in Afghanistan is estimated to be extremely high, with some sources claiming a rate of 99.7%, making it one of the countries with the highest prevalence of male circumcision in the world. This is largely due to the country's significant Muslim population, as circumcision is a religious obligation in Islam.

Religious elders remove the foreskin with a knife, without anaesthetic

In Afghanistan, circumcision is a common ritual for male infants and children. Most Afghan boys are circumcised between the ages of two and five by religious elders. Before the procedure, the elders say a prayer and, if they are lucky, the boys are plunged into an icy stream to numb the pain. Then, with a knife, the religious elders remove the foreskin—all without anaesthetic.

In Kabul, Turkish troops leading the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have also carried out mass circumcisions of boys. However, unlike the religious elders, the Turkish doctors used a local anaesthetic before removing the boys' foreskins with a soldering-iron gun that simultaneously cuts and seals the wound.

In some cases, boys are immersed in icy water before the ritual to numb the pain

In Afghanistan, circumcision is a common ritual for boys, and it is considered an important rite of passage for Muslim males. While some non-Muslims also accept the practice for health and hygiene reasons, it holds greater significance for Muslims, for whom it is a part of their faith. Typically, religious elders perform the circumcision ritual for boys between the ages of two and five. Before removing the foreskin with a knife, the elders say a prayer, and notably, no anaesthetic is used during this traditional procedure.

In some instances, boys are immersed in icy water before the circumcision ritual to numb any pain they might experience. However, this practice is not consistently followed and depends on various factors. For example, during a mass circumcision event organised by Turkish troops in Kabul, the procedure was strictly medical and included the use of local anaesthesia. In such cases, the boys' fear and apprehension were evident as they awaited their turn with the surgeons.

The immersion in icy water can be seen as a way to provide some level of comfort and pain relief for the boys, especially considering the lack of anaesthesia in traditional circumcision practices. This cultural aspect of the ritual demonstrates the importance of preparing boys for this significant milestone in their lives as they transition to manhood.

Circumcision is an important rite of passage for Muslim males

In Islam, circumcision is primarily performed to ensure cleanliness, as Muslims are expected to wash before praying, and urine must not be left on the body. The removal of the foreskin makes it easier to keep the penis clean, as urine cannot get trapped, and it is believed that excrement may collect under the foreskin, leading to fatal diseases such as cancer.

For most Muslims, circumcision is seen as an important ritual aimed at improving cleanliness and is strongly encouraged, although not enforced. It is also considered a sign of belonging to the wider Muslim community (Ummah). The ritual is believed to date back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad, who, according to tradition, was born without a foreskin.

In some Islamic countries, circumcision is performed after boys have recited the whole Quran from start to finish. In other countries, the occasion is widely celebrated and marks the child's transition to adulthood. While there is no fixed age for circumcision in Islam, it is often performed on the seventh day after birth or during early childhood, with the preferred age being around seven years old. However, Muslim boys may be circumcised at any age between birth and puberty.

The procedure is usually carried out in a clinic or hospital by a medically trained practitioner, who may be male or female and does not need to be a Muslim. In some cases, boys are plunged into an icy stream before the ritual to numb any pain. After the operation, it is customary to dress the boy in a traditional white tunic and a large nappy.

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