Amnesty International produces a Human Rights Information Pack on their website describing the scenario in which FGM occurs:.

             Sometimes a trained midwife will be available to give a local anaesthetic. In.

             some cultures, girls will be told to sit beforehand in cold water, to numb the.

             area and reduce the likelihood of bleeding. More commonly, however, no.

             steps are taken to reduce the pain. The girl is immobilized, held, usually by.

             older women, with her legs open. Mutilation may be carried out using broken .

             glass, a tin lid, scissors, razor blade or some other cutting instrument. When.

             infibulation takes place, thorns or stitches may be used to hold the two sides.

             of the labia majora together, and the legs may be bound together for up to 40.

             days. Antiseptic powder may be applied, or, more usually, pastes containing.

             herbs, milk, eggs, ashes or dung "which are believed to facilitate healing. .

             .

             The justifications for this practice are many. Custom and tradition seem more just and correct descriptions of why FGM occurs in the first place. It is a misconception that religion is the primary cause. Of course, with religion comes tradition and custom but the fact that FGM is practiced among Muslims, Christians, Hindus and African Religions to name a few, points to an older ingrained belief. For example, the Qur'an does not give mention to female circumcision. According to Jawwad ˜Ali,' "Circumcision was considered one of the customs of the ancient jahiliyya and in that respect the Arabs were like the Hebrews. It is a matter which the Qur'an does not mention but it is mentioned in hadith. A "hadith consists of a statement made or a description of an act performed by the prophet Muhammad, preceded by a list of names in varying length called an isnad I heard from A, who said he heard from B, who said he heard from C, who said he heard from the messenger of God.