Goal: global enlightenment

TARGET's Golden Book is to be distributed exclusively and free of charge to the prayer leaders (imams) of mosques in the 35 countries where female genital mutilation is practised. The book with the message that female genital mutilation is forbidden by religion, and is even a sin, is intended to serve as a basis for sermons. TARGET distributes it to the imams together with local religious representatives. This approach guarantees a high level of acceptance. It is not we, TARGET, who take the message to the people in the "mutilating countries", but the message comes from their own religious leaders and representatives.

Strategy: With Islam as a partner

Due to its previous cooperation with Islam, TARGET has already opened doors in many countries. The campaign is based on "The Golden Book" with the "Fatwa of Cairo". This historic fatwa outlaws the genital mutilation of girls and women as a "crime". TARGET would like to win the highest clerics of the countries concerned as allies. It is important that they accept "The Golden Book" and its message so that they can then spread it in their countries. The ulemas (senior Islamic jurists) of the Cairo International Conference are behind the book and the campaign and are ready to present and distribute it in their countries. The participants of the Addis Conference 2009 opened more doors for TARGET. Now the implementation begins.

Implementation: one country at a time

Step 1 - country conferences:

TARGET convenes a conference with the most important clerics in each country in cooperation with the ulemas. "The Golden Book" is presented to them. TARGET is always accompanied by imams and muftis who are already committed to the book and its idea. For example, one imam from Mauritania and one from Austria took part in the Addis conference. Their support is extremely important, as TARGET sees itself only as a mediator and not as a foreign know-it-all. The decision to end the genital mutilation of girls and to protect them through religion must always and exclusively be made by the Islamic guests. TARGET sees this as the greatest opportunity to guarantee the credibility and sustainability of the "Golden Book" project. Film contributions from important supporters of the campaign will be shown during the conferences.

Currently, these are statements by Prof. Dr. Ali Gom'a (Grand Mufti of Egypt), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi (Grand Sheikh of Azhar) and Prof. Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi (Sheikh of Qatar). Their authority has the greatest influence on the opinions of religious decision-makers. So far, TARGET has always received an unqualified "yes" to the "Golden Book". The number of copies required is determined.

Step 2: Transport/extensions

Now the transportation/export of the books to the respective country can begin. If necessary, "The Golden Book" is translated into the respective national or tribal languages (currently in Amharic/Somali and Afaraf). It is being checked whether it can be printed in the respective country. A DVD with the speeches of the supporters of the campaign (see above) as well as excerpts from the launch conference of the respective country should increase the impact of the "Golden Book". TARGET will provide the necessary DVD equipment if required so that people in the African villages can also watch the films.

Step 3: Distribution

The distribution of the books and the announcement of the content is always carried out in close cooperation with the Islamic scholars of the respective country. Different circumstances are to be expected in each country. Rüdiger and Annette Nehberg, who are on site at the kick-off conferences for TARGET, therefore have to be flexible, remain learners and are always pioneers.

The distribution process is different in every country. One way is the distribution of the "Golden Books" to the imams of the mosques by a TARGET employee accompanied by a local cleric (as is currently the case in Ethiopia). In places with several mosques, it may be necessary to convene another small meeting at which the imams can then take the books with them. Another approach has emerged in Mauritania. There, employees of the Ministry of Family Affairs have taken over the distribution. Clergymen usually accompany them. Distribution in the countries is very laborious, time-consuming and cost-intensive. However, we see this approach as the greatest guarantee that the message of the "Golden Book" will be understood and proclaimed - across the board in every country.

Step 4: Reviewing the campaign and sustainability

TARGET remains in close contact with local Islamic scholars and receives work reports from them. After the "Golden Books" have found their way into the mosques, TARGET wants to review the success of the campaign. TARGET plans to have the girls in the mosque communities where "The Golden Book" was handed out medically examined after around three years.

TARGET would like to have "The Golden Book" distributed to the prayer leaders of mosques in all 35 countries in Africa and Asia where the cruel practice of female genital mutilation is still common. The awareness campaign is already underway or in preparation in the following countries*...

• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Djibouti
• Guinea-Bissau
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Somaliland/Somalia
• Sudan
• Chad

* In alphabetical order

Allies

Statements from allies on the "Golden Book" and against female genital mutilation:

		Prof. Dr. Ali Gom'a, Grand Mufti of Egypt, Patron of TARGET's Azhar Conference: "I am firmly convinced that the present ... booklet among Muslims ... will meet with acceptance and that the conference decision will be followed." "...the mutilation of the female body through circumcision (does not originate) from Islam, as it causes harm to the female body... It is therefore legally forbidden by Islam, especially since the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad, ... said: 'Suffering harm and causing harm do not exist in Islam."
		Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi, Grand Sheikh of Azhar University, Egypt: "There is no command in any of the religious books to circumcise women on their genitals."
		Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Hamdi Zakzouk, Minister of Religious Endowments, Egypt: "There is not a single piece of scientific evidence that circumcision benefits women. It only brings disadvantages and harm." "The one who destroys the construction of Allah (note: the woman) will be cursed."
		Sheikh Muhammad Darassa, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs of Ethiopia: "We have unanimously outlawed the custom, banned it and enshrined it in our Sharia law."
		Prof. Dr. Yusuf Lukman, Chief Gynaecologist at Addis Ababa University Hospital, Ethiopia: "Circumcision of girls is...an extremely criminal act that is talked about far too little. I therefore welcome the courage and determination of Islamic leaders to break the taboo of silence with this conference (note: Azhar 2006)."
		Prof. Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Grand Sheikh, Qatar: "After credible medical professionals informed me of the harm of circumcision, I must declare the practice to be the work of the devil."
		Imam Tarafa Baghajati, imam and pastor, advisor to TARGET, chairman of the Initiative of Muslim Austrians, Austria: "I feel that I will live to see female genital mutilation abolished. I never even dared to dream that before. But after numerous conversations with high Islamic authorities, it has become clear to me. And TARGET's involvement and the Golden Book awareness campaign have played a very important part in this. The book will go down in history as one of the main steps towards the abolition of female genital mutilation."
		Thomas Frankenfeld, Islam expert at the Hamburger Abendblatt: "THE GOLDEN BOOK - a Hamburg native writes Islamic history."
		Hamden Ould Tah, Grand Sheikh, Mauritania: "The Golden Book is worthy of Islam. It has a place of honor next to my Koran."
		Imam Muhammad El-Bechir, scholar and prayer leader, Mauritania: "There is no justification for female circumcision in Islam. It harms women and society. It is a crime."
		Dr. Hissein Hassan Abakar, Grand Sheikh, Chad: "I didn't know that. TARGET has a two hundred percent supporter in me from now on."
		Prof. Dr. Muhammad Shama, Lecturer at Azhar University, Advisor to the Minister of Religious Affairs, Egypt: "Our religion demands that we honor women, and our tradition demands that we protect and defend them."

		Imam Mahamadou Moussa Diallo, scholar, Mali: "When I denounced this custom, I was removed from office, threatened with murder and had to be placed under police protection. Therefore, such conferences are of utmost importance to end this evil custom (FGM)."