Dubai: Some private clinics, which are performing illegal surgeries to restore virginity of unmarried girls despite a ban on such operations, have come under fire.
According to women who underwent such a surgery, the operation to restore a ruptured hymen costs about Dh10,000.
A Ministry of Health official said hymen restoration or reconstruction for unmarried girls is banned.
"In most Muslim and Arab countries and even in some non-Muslim countries, girls are expected to maintain their virginity until they get married, because of cultural, social or religious reasons," he said.
A surgeon who runs a private urology clinic in Dubai and is specialised in treating haemorrhoids is said to conduct the virginity restoration surgeries. He is said to charge Dh10,000 for the 90-minute surgery.
A general practitioner in Sharjah said there are two types of operations; the first is 'permanent' (will last longer) and could be done any time and the second (of lesser durability) is done few days before the wedding. The first type of operation is more expensive, he said.
An Arab girl who is considering this surgery before her wedding, said she is waiting for her salary to undertake the operation. "My fiancee is out of the country and I will do it while he is away," she said.
Another girl said that she had undergone the surgery, which took two hours. "I feel all right now. I am getting ready for my wedding," she said.
The Dh10,000 cost of the operation includes a "two-hour rest at a hotel," Gulf News was told.
The surgery is not banned for married women. It is most popular among unmarried Arab girls of various nationalities who get involved in pre-marital relationships.
Your comments
It's sad that a relationship that should be based on trust and honesty will begin with a lie.
S.H.
Abu Dhabi,UAE
There is no point of this surgery. The relationship of marriage is based on trust. If the foundation is weak, the marriage will not last.
S. Khan
Sharjah,UAE
In a culture where there is so much pressure placed on women to retain their virginity until marriage, these operations will continue. It is ridiculous that by law the operation is only available to married women. Why would a married woman need such an operation? Also, why does nobody seem to care if a male groom is a virgin or not? I don't blame a young woman who is unmarried but not a virgin for having such an operation before her wedding - what other choice does she have?
G. Lewis
Dubai,UAE
Virginity is a reflection of one's manners and beliefs rather than one's anatomy.
Dr Y. Mansouri
Dubai,UAE
If we have choose to live in an Islamic society then this kind of practice is unethical for the doctors and unacceptable for the society. This will promote premarital relationships among the youth. And above all there are fare chances of having post-surgical problems. I hope the Ministry of Health will take serious action to discourage such medical practices.
Dr. A. Shah
Abu Dhabi,UAE
This sort of conduct is just to fool men. Such activities should be totally banned so that women can follow the law of nature.
Ehtesham
Dubai,UAE
According to Karl Marx," The course of history is determind by the economic condition of the age concerned". Money can buy you anything, even change your life, history and culture. It is not a big deal for men anymore as they love their money, not culture.
H. Khan
Manchester,Uk
This should be prohibited because this will encourage pre-martial relationships which is strictly banned in Islam. Please stop this.
Ibtsam
Dubai,UAE
