Kassel: Protection of Somali girls from genital mutilation

On September 30, 2022, a gathering of Somali men and women took place at the Haus der Sozialwirtschaft in Kassel.

The event, initiated by TARGET e. V., was organized by the Somali association Easy Care. The topic of the evening: Female genital mutilation in the context of Islam.

The event focused on the fatwas of Al Azhar and Sheikh Qaradawi. As a reminder: At TARGET's Al-Azhar conference in 2006, female genital mutilation was declared a sin by the highest Islamic legal scholars.

Guests of the evening included Sheikh Ahmad Alqasimi from Somalia, Sheikh Taha Amer, Chairman of the Council of Imams and Scholars in Germany (RIGD), Dia Farrag, TARGET's Strategy and Planning Advisor, and Dr. Klaus Peter Sauer, gynecologist and contributor to TARGET's Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic in Ethiopia.

The evening was opened by Sheikh Alqasimi. He is a staunch opponent of female genital mutilation. Sheikh Taha Amer explained the fatwas from the perspective of Islamic law. For Dia Farrag, the fatwas obtained by TARGET are clear, so it is now a matter of putting them into practice.

TARGET board member Annette Nehberg-Weber reported on TARGET's symbolic Caravan of Hope for the protection of girls and invited the participants to become part of it, especially as they have direct contact with families in Germany and Somalia.


TARGET's partner gynaecologist Dr. Sauer described the effects and consequences of genital mutilation from a medical perspective.

The interest was huge. Something was broken open and a group was initiated that will continue to deal with the topic and will be accompanied by us.

The evening was the prelude to further events that we are planning with Sheikh Taha Amer and Dia Farrag. Dr. Sauer has also agreed to support us with his medical expertise at any time.

More about TARGET's commitment to ending female genital mutilation