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Egyptian mufti says women not obligated to prove virginity: Fatwa issued by female Islamic scholar

In a decision being hailed as a major step toward female equality in the Islamic world, the grand mufti of Egypt has said that Muslim women have no obligation to prove their virginity to prospective husbands.

Appearing on a popular Egyptian talk show, Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa said he endorsed a recent fatwa, or religious edict, that said it is permissible—though not required—for women who have lost their virginity to have reconstructive hymen surgery, according to a report February 20 in the Daily Star newspaper of Egypt.

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