Female Genital Mutilation in Minnesota: Over 100 young girls estimated to have had genitals cut at the hands of doctor

Doctor faces life in prison for alleged crime

As many as 100 girls may have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) from a Minnesota doctor.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - This shocking report came forward during a court hearing involving the allegations that two Minnesota girls had their genitals cut at a Livonia clinic, according to Detroit Free Press.

The girls were told to keep this a secret and that it was a "religious right of passage."

Assistant US Attorney, Sara Woodward brought forward the harrowing information to convince the judge to keep a doctor and his wife in jail.

"Due to the secretive nature of this procedure, we are unlikely to ever know how many children were cut by Dr. (Jumana) Nagarwala," Woodward said, referring to the lead defendant in the case. 

"The Minnesota victims were not the first victims."

U.S District Judge Bernard Friedman granted bail to one of the doctors and his wife on the conditions they would surrender their passports, be on house arrest, limit communication to family and lawyers only and they could only leave their homes to see the lawyers or attend pre-approved doctor visits.

Dr. Fakhruddin Attar is accused of letting Dr. Nagarwala use his office knowing she would be performing genital cutting procedures on young girls. The doctor's wife, Farida, is accused of holding the girls to calm them and keep them still during the procedures.

All three defendants are members of a Minnesota Indian-Muslim sect known as the Dawoodi Bohra. So far, eight different victims were identified, but the total number is estimated to be around 100.

"I think the government has overstated so many aspects of this case and this is one more example of overreaching," stated Mary Chartier, the Attar's lawyer.

According to Detroit Free Press, the government believes the Attar's and Dr. Nagarwala have performed the cruel practice on many girls over a 12-year period.

"I think he is thrilled," Chartier said of Dr. Attar. "He is anxious to fight this case and clear his name."

The Attar's are not allowed to live with their minor daughter as their parenting rights are also being questioned in a separate trial.

If convicted, Dr. Nagarwala and Dr. Attar could face life in prison. Farida Attar could face 20 years.

Pope Francis has previously condemned FGM and domestic violence against woment and girls, stating, "The many forms of slavery, the commercialization, and mutilation of the bodies of women, call out to us to be committed to defeat these types of degradation that reduce them to mere objects that are bought and sold ..."

"Although it is a symbol of life, the female body is unfortunately not rarely attacked and disfigured, even by those who should be its protector and life companion."

The next trial is scheduled for October 10.

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