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More Muslim Women Seeking Surgery to 'Restore' Virginity

Demand for operation rises at private European clinics

By Laurel Jorgensen,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 11, 2008 4:05 AM CDT

(Newser) – An increasing number of Muslim women in Europe, caught between the sexual freedom of the West and the traditions of their families, are undergoing hymenoplasty  to "restore" their virginity after lapses, the New York Times reports. The surgery to repair the hymen, if done properly, won't be detected when brides seek certificates of virginity, and will produce bleeding on the wedding night. 

The operation, widely advertised on the Internet, is such a hot topic that a movie about the subject opens in Italy this week. The issue made front pages in France last month when a judge annulled a marriage because the Muslim bride was not a virgin. “All of a sudden, virginity is important in France,” said a young woman who had the procedure. “In my culture, not to be a virgin is to be dirt. Right now, virginity is more important to me than life.” 

An operation to restore virginity is gaining popularity among Muslim women.
An operation to restore virginity is gaining popularity among Muslim women.   (AP Photo/Amel Emric)
An operation to restore virginity is gaining popularity among Muslim women.
An operation to restore virginity is gaining popularity among Muslim women.   (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Shannonals
Apr 10, 2009 11:58 AM CDT
I'm all for women rights, but why recreate a hymen? The loss of innocence isn't something you can ever truly recapture, even through surgery. The only though I have is that a few women would mislead men into thinking they are pure after a lifetime of sin, not that everyone dones't deserve a second chance

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