Preface

The oldest documented evidence of prophylactic male circumcision comes from ancient Egypt more than 6000 years ago, as well as from other ethnic roots such as Sub-equatorial Africa where circumcision was performed on adolescent boys to celebrate their transition to adulthood. On the other hand, ancient Greeks considered circumcision an utter mutilation of God's perfect creation. The Judaism and Islamic faiths reinforced routine infant circumcision. Cultural circumcision found its way to North America in the late 1800s fueled by the fear of sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, and as a "cure" for masturbation.

The world remains divided between advocates and opponents of circumcision. Some have viciously fought against circumcision, whereas others pumped huge funds into programs to circumcise men in HIV endemic countries in an attempt to curb its transmission.

This book tackles non-medical male circumcision with emphasis on its relationship to communities and ethnicities from a public health viewpoint.

> **Ahmad Zaghal, MD, FEBPS, FHEA** American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon

> > **Nishat Rahman** Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, United Kingdom

**1**

Section 1

Circumcision and the

Community

Section 1
