New ruling in Egypt allows hymen repair called 'hymenoplasty' as legal decree

A new ruling in Egypt that permits women to repair hymen has stoked controversy in Islamic state, with some critics fearing it may lure women into premarital sex.

According to Dr Ahmed Mamdouh, director of Sharia Research Department of Egypt’s highest religious authority 'Dar al Ifta', “in some cases, patching is required and legitimate for a girl who has been raped or deceived and wants to repent and turn a new page.”

This new legal decree, called fatwa, was issued on August 30. It expands Mamdouh's ruling from a 2015 study in which he h opposed hymen repair in case of “promiscuous” women, a stance based on a 2007 fatwa issued by Sheikh Ali Gomaa.

While Mamdouh didn’t give any examples or exceptions, he did point out that “re are some cases in which it is forbidden by Sharia to carry out procedure of hymen repair.” new ruling came in response to question by an obstetrician on wher hymen reconstruction surgery is permissible in Islam.

Criticism and hate speech

Only moments after his words were published during a Facebook brocast, people were quick to argue that hymen reconstruction surgery or hymenoplasty, might make sex out of wedlock more attractive for women since y can now resort to a “quick fix” before marriage.

According to executive Egyptian law, neir performing hymenoplasty nor receiving one is considered illegal. Prices in private and public clinics in Egypt start from around $1,200. However, having an intact hymen is still closely linked to 'purity and morality' in perception of many Egyptians.

increase in "urfi" (unregistered or secret) marriages in recent years has led to a rise in number of hymen reconstruction surgeries. In such marriages, wife gives up all her rights including alimony to tie knot with her husband. practice however can be misused by husband who may divorce his wife by simply tearing up piece of paper signed by m both, destroying only proof of marriage. Girls who find mselves in this situation often resort to hymenoplasty as a lifeline that allows m to remarry without 'shaming' ir families. 

Despite more tolerant religious view of surgery, it may take a long time before practice gains broer acceptance in a society where women are treated as second-class citizens.