Turkey: Information on the practice of circumcision among Kurds
| Publisher | United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services |
| Author | Resource Information Center |
| Publication Date | 27 October 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | TUR99001.ZHN |
| Cite as | United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Turkey: Information on the practice of circumcision among Kurds, 27 October 1998, TUR99001.ZHN, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df0c0844.html [accessed 5 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Query:
Do Kurds practice circumcision? Is not being circumcised an identifying characteristic for Kurds?
Response:
A representative of the American Kurdish Information Network in Washington, DC informed the RIC that the great majority of Kurds are Muslims and therefore practice circumcision. As part of a religious ceremony, Muslim males are circumcised at a very young age. Kurds who are not circumcised are likely to be a member of one of the Christian minorities. Therefore, non-circumcision is not an identifying characteristic for the majority of Kurds (AKIN 26 October 1998).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the RIC within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References:
American Kurdish Information Network (AKIN). Washington, DC. 26 October 1998. Telephone Interview with Representative.
