In the Name of Tradition

The book In the Name of Tradition is the outcome of a comprehensive study on female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) 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.[1][2] 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.[3][4][5][6]

In the Name of Tradition
AuthorKameel Ahmady Et al
LanguageEnglish
SubjectScientific-research
GenreWomen's studies - research
Publisher
  • AP Lambert Academic Publishing (Germany)
  • UnCUT/VOICES Press (United Kingdoms)
  • Avaye Buf Publication (Denmark)
  • shirazeh Publication (Iran)*
Publication date
2016
Publication placeIran
Pages162
Awards
  • Global Expert of Arts Award – Uganda/UK/Belgium – Refugee Rights in Exile for the Country of Origin (FGM/C) (2013).
  • RIE Global Expertise Award (2014) – for research on FGM/C and harmful traditional practices.
  • Honour Award at the University of London Law School (2017), IKWRO Organization – for research on gender and children.
  • Humanities (2018), the World Peace Foundation at George Washington University – for scholarly writing and work on social harms·
ISBN9783981386370

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 (MGM/C) 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.[7][8][9][10]

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.[11][12]

Content and research methodology of books

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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.[5][13][14]

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.[1][5][15][14]

The book was initially published in Persian by Shirazeh publishing house in 2014, followed by its English version in 2015 by Uncutvoice publishing house.[1][5] 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 (MGM/C) 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.[14][16][17]

Research results

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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.[5][18][19]

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.[1][20][21][22][23]

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.[24][25]

Arrest of Ahmady

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Ahmady was arrested by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in 2018.[26] In 2019, he was sentenced to 9 years and three months in prison for various charges, including "subversion through research and research."? This accusation was related to Ahmady's research on FGM/C, gender, children, homosexuality, and identity/ethnicity in Iran. While in prison and under interrogation by the Revolutionary Guard in Evin prison, some of his research, including research on homosexuality, was published by Mehri Publishing House in London.[27][28][29]

Documentary

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While conducting field research for his book on FGM/C in Iran, Ahmady also recorded the interviews and information he gathered. This material later served as the basis for his documentary In the Name of Tradition. This documentary is considered the first of its kind on the topic of FGM/C in Iran, and has been screened at various short film festivals, including the London Film Festival and on the BBC television network.[30][31]

Awards

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Ahmady has received awards from different scientific institutions and organizations for his research on social harms, including FGM/C, in Iran and other countries. In 2013, he received an international certificate from AMERA International for his research and scientific perspective on female genital mutilation/cutting.[32] In 2017, he received Honor Award from the Inter-African Committee (IAC) for his research in Africa and Middle Eastern countries. In 2017, alongside other winners in various categories, Ahmady was awarded the "True Honour" award by the organization IKWRO at the London law university for his research collection in the field of gender and children's rights.[33][34][35] Ahmady's literary works concerning social issues, children, and minorities were recognized in 2018 when he received the "Literature and Humanities Award" from the World Peace Foundation at the George Washington university.[36][12][37][38]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d احمدی، کامیل. به نام سنت (پژوهشی جامع درباب ختنه زنان در ایران). تهران. نشر شیرازه. چاپ اول. (۱۳۹۴) [In the Name of Tradition (A Comprehensive Research Study on Female Genital Mutilation / Cutting (FGM/C) in Iran] (in Persian).
  2. ^ Ahmady, Kameel Et al 2015: In the Name of Tradition (A Comprehensive Research Study on Female Genital Mutilation / Cutting (FGM/C) in Iran), Un-Cut/Voices Press, Germany.
  3. ^ احمدی، کامیل و همکاران. به نام سنت (پژوهشی جامع در باب ختنه زنان در ایران)، تهران، نشر شیرازه، چاپ اول، (۱۳۹۴) [Ahmady, Kameel Et al 2015: In the Name of Tradition (A Comprehensive Research Study on Female Genital Mutilation / Cutting (FGM/C) in Iran), Un-Cut/Voices Press, Germany.] (in Persian).
  4. ^ "سیاست‌های مرتبط با فرهنگ ختنه زنان / ناقص‌سازی آلت جنس زنان در ایران. فصلنامه علمی تخصصی روانشناسی، علوم اجتماعی و علوم تربیتی» (PDF)" [Policies related to the culture of female circumcision in Iran.] (in Persian).
  5. ^ a b c d e Ahmady, Kameel Et al 2015: In the Name of Tradition (A Comprehensive Research Study on Female Genital Mutilation / Cutting (FGM/C) in Iran), Un-Cut/Voices Press, Germany.
  6. ^ Ahmady, Kameel. Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in Iran, 2016, 3rd BerlinInternational Conference. The Scientific Information Database (SID), pp. 189-201
  7. ^ احمدی، کامیل. به نام سنت (انگاره‌ای در حال تغییر؛ پژوهشی جامع درباب ختنه زنان در ایران). دانمارک. انتشارات آوای بوف. چاپ اول. (۱۴۰۰) [In the Name of Tradition (A Comprehensive Research Study on Female Genital Mutilation / Cutting (FGM/C) in Iran)] (in Persian).
  8. ^ مجد, رویا کریمی (2017-02-07). "کاهش آمار ختنه زنان و مسئولیت دولت" [Reducing the number of female circumcision and the government's responsibility]. رادیو فردا (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  9. ^ "کاهش آمار ختنه زنان در ایران" [Reducing the number of female circumcision in Iran.]. www.irna.ir. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  10. ^ Ahmady, Kameel. Harmful traditions practice: A comprehensive study on female genital mutilation, Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada: JOGC = Journal d'obstétrique et gynécologie du Canada: JOGC. Volume 42: Number 2 (2020, February); pp e21- -- Healthcare & Financial Pub., Rogers Media [for the] Society of Obstreticians and Gynaecologists of Canada = Société des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Canada
  11. ^ "Announcing Our 2019 Global Woman Award Recipients".
  12. ^ a b "کامل احمدی کیست؟ اطلاعاتی در مورد برندە جایزه بنياد جهانى صلح" [Who is Kameel Ahmady? Information about the winner of the World Peace Foundation Award]. haje.ir (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  13. ^ "احمدی، کامیل. به نام سنت (پژوهشی درباره ناقص سازی جنسی دختران). ماهنامه زنان امروز. شماره ۱۶، فروردین سال ۱۳۹۵، ص ۲۷" [Ahmadi, Kamil. In the name of tradition (a study on female genital mutilation)]. Today's Women's Monthly (in Persian) (16): 27. April 2016.
  14. ^ a b c Susanti, Christina Esti; Ahmady, Kameel (2015-11-07). "Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Iran". Swift Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity. 1 (3): 28–42.
  15. ^ "به نام سنت پژوهشی جامع در باب ختنه زنان در ایران" ["In the name of comprehensive research tradition about female circumcision in Iran"]. www.farhangemrooz.com (in Persian). 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  16. ^ احمدی، کامیل. به نام سنت (انگاره‌ای در حال تغییر؛ پژوهشی جامع درباب ختنه زنان در ایران). دانمارک. انتشارات آوای بوف. چاپ اول. (۱۴۰۰) [Ahmady, Kameel. In the name of tradition (a changing image; a comprehensive research on female circumcision in Iran). Denmark. Avaye Buf Publications. First Edition. (2021)] (in Persian).
  17. ^ "International day against female genital mutilation". YouTube (in Persian).
  18. ^ "ختنه دختران زیر سقف ناآگاهی/ زنان خودشان مقصر مثله جنسی زنان هستند" ["Girls are circumcised under the roof of ignorance/women themselves are to blame for female genital mutilation"]. خبرآنلاین (in Persian). 2016-02-07. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  19. ^ "برنامه به عبارت دیگر. مصاحبه ای با کامیل احمدی در باره‌ی برسی وضعیت ختنه زنان در ایران" [In other words: a conversation with Kamil Ahmadi about the situation of female circumcision in Iran.]. YouTube.
  20. ^ "به نام سنت پژوهشی جامع در باب ختنه زنان در ایران" ["In the name of tradition, a comprehensive research on female circumcision in Iran".]. www.farhangemrooz.com (in Persian). 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  21. ^ لندن, کیهان. "پژوهشی جدید پیرامون ختنه زنان و ازدواج‌های زیر سن در ایران" ["New research on female circumcision and marriages under the age of 18 in Iran". kayhan.london.] (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  22. ^ "سیاستهای مرتبط با فرهنگ ختنه زنان / ناقص سازی الت جنس زنان در ایران" (PDF).
  23. ^ Ahmady, Kameel (25 January 2022). "Ahmady Kameel, In the Name of Traditions: A Comprehensive Study on the Impact of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on Women and Girls An Overview of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Iran, International Journal of Kurdish Studies, 8 (1), pp. 119-145". International Journal of Kurdish Studies. 8 (1): 119–145. doi:10.21600/ijoks.1039056. S2CID 245725004.
  24. ^ Ahmady, Kameel Et al 2019: In the Name of Tradition (A Comprehensive Research Study on Female Genital Mutilation / Cutting (FGM/C) in Iran), Mehri Publications, London.
  25. ^ Ahmady, Kameel Et al 2020: Forbidden Tale (A comprehensive study on lesbian, gay, bisexuals (LGB) in Iran). AP Lambert Academic Publishing, Germany.
  26. ^ van Wilgenburg, Wladimir (2019-08-14). "Iran arrests British-Kurdish academic in Tehran". kurdistan24. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  27. ^ "کامیل احمدی، مردم‌شناس ایرانی-بریتانیایی به "۹ سال حبس" محکوم شد" ["Iranian-British anthropologist Kameel Ahmady was sentenced to 9 years in prison".]. euronews (in Persian). 2020-12-14. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  28. ^ Entekhab.ir, پایگاه خبری تحلیلی انتخاب |. "محکومیت کامیل احمدی دو تابعیتی ایرانی - انگلیسی به ۹ سال حبس" ["The conviction of Kameel Ahmady, a dual citizen of Iran and England, to 9 years in prison".]. fa (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  29. ^ لندن, کیهان. "کامیل احمدی پژوهشگر مسائل اجتماعی که به ۹ سال زندان محکوم شده بود به انگلستان گریخت" ["Kameel Ahmady, a researcher of social issues who was sentenced to 9 years in prison, fled to England"] (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  30. ^ "گفتگوی آپارات" [Interview with the producer of the first documentary film on female circumcision in Iran]. BBC News فارسی (in Persian). 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  31. ^ ""به نام سنت" اولین فیلم مستند ختنه زنان در ایران" ["In the name of tradition" is the first documentary film on female circumcision in Iran]. آپارات - سرویس اشتراک ویدیو (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  32. ^ "Iran". AMERA International. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  33. ^ "True Honours 2017 – IKWRO". Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  34. ^ "IKWRO ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THE NOMINEES AND WINNERS OF THE TRUE HONOUR AWARDS 2017". Archived from the original on 2020-08-12. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  35. ^ Behnegarsoft.com (2018-10-27). "جایزه ادبيات و علوم انسانى بنياد جهانى صلح دانشگاه جورج واشنگتن در دستان پژوهشگر ایرانی - رضوی" [George Washington University World Peace Foundation Literature and Humanities Award in the hands of an Iranian researcher]. خبرگزاری رضوی | اخبار خراسان، ایران با عکس و فیلم (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  36. ^ "Announcing Our 2019 Global Woman Award Recipients – GLOBAL WOMAN P.E.A.C.E. Foundation". Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  37. ^ KHRN (2019-08-13). "کامیل احمدی، پژوهشگر کُرد و شهروند ایرانی ـ بریتانیایی بازداشت شد | شبکە حقوق بشر کردستان" [Kameel Ahmady, a Kurdish researcher and an Iranian-British citizen, was arrested.]. KHRN (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  38. ^ "In The Name of Tradition : "A Comprehensive Research on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in Iran" with an appendix on male circumcision by Kameel Ahmady: Neu Taschenbuch (2022) | AHA-BUCH GmbH". www.abebooks.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
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