In the Name of Tradition
The book In the Name of Tradition is the outcome of a comprehensive study on female genital mutilation/cutting in Iran conducted by Kameel Ahmady, an anthropologist and researcher, and his colleagues. It was published in Persian by Shirazeh in 2015 and followed by an English version by Uncutvoice publishing house in the same year. The study explores why and how FGM is practised in Iran. The researchers aimed to uncover the various dimensions of FGM between 2005 and 2015 in four provinces: West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, and Hormozgan.
In 2017, Ahmady and his team revisited these four provinces to assess the impact of their educational and awareness-raising efforts, as well as their assessment, on FGM rates. The results of this follow-up study are presented in another book titled "The Changing Paradigms" Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Country report on FGM/C in Iran, With an introduction to Male Circumcision / Male Genital Mutilation in Iran, which provides an up-to-date report on the trends and incomplete statistics of FGM in Iran. The book describes a significant decrease in FGM rates in the areas where the researchers conducted their work. This publication sheds light on the subject of FGM in Iran and highlights the importance of continued efforts to raise awareness and education about this harmful practice.
Ahmady has been recognized for his research on social harms including female genital mutilation. He has received several awards for his work, including the "Literature and Humanities" award from the World Peace Foundation at George Washington University.
Content and research methodology of books
In his career in Iran, Ahmady authored one of his earliest books titled In the Name of Tradition: A Comprehensive Research on FGM in Iran. The book is based on a research project of the same name, which Ahmady and his colleagues conducted between 2005 and 2015 in several villages across four Iranian provinces – Azarbaijan, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, and Hormozgan.The book was written using a research method that involves describing and surveying a large group. The researchers used a technique called field research, where they collected data by observing and interviewing people who were part of the study.
The book was initially published in Persian by Shirazeh publishing house in 2014, followed by its English version in 2015 by Uncutvoice publishing house. After conducting further research in 2017, Ahmady and his colleagues discovered a decrease in the prevalence of FGM/C in the aforementioned provinces. They subsequently published their findings in a new book called " The Changing Paradigms" Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Country report on FGM/C in Iran, With an introduction to Male Circumcision / Male Genital Mutilation in Iran In 2022, Ahmady added a preface about male circumcision in Iran, and the book was re-published as an e-book by Avai Boof Publishing in Denmark.
Research results
The results found that FGM/C has been practiced for among the peoples of the Shafei branch of Sunni Islam in parts of four Iranian provinces: Hormozgan, Kermanshah, Kurdistan, and West Azarbaijan. The study found that this practice is still occurring in these areas, although it is not widespread.The research revealed that FGM/C is still being practised in a scattered manner in the provinces mainly due to religious and cultural reasons, lack of awareness and education, poverty, and beliefs about chastity, health and beauty. To address this issue, Ahmady and his team worked with local community elders, religious scholars, and other influential groups to implement educational measures and raise awareness about the harmful effects of FGM/C. Through their efforts, they were able to gradually decrease the practice in these areas over time.
The book was originally licensed to be published in Iran, but later on, it was also published outside of Iran by Avay e Buf and LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing. It is now available in several languages including English, French, Spanish, Persian, Kurdish.