Regardless of identity, all law-abiding citizens deserve equal protection from harm and fair access to shared public spaces. As Singaporeans, we have the right to practise our faith so long as it does not harm and/or infringe on the rights of others to live according to theirs. Given these two facts, how do we move forward?

While proponents of sunat perempuan may argue that the act is harmless (unlike Type 1, 2 and 3 of FGM), it is hard to argue for any medical benefit from the practice – unlike that of male circumcision. Some Muslims, however, have resorted to the argument that the practice is needed to subdue female sexuality. This claim rests upon two claims: that female sexuality is higher than men and that subduing it is necessary to promote female purity and chastity. These two claims rest upon the overarching assumptions that women are the guardians of morality and female sexuality can be a source of moral destruction. Hence, the need to subject women to sunat or circumcision.

Decolonisation of knowledge is gaining further traction and has become a pivotal topic of discussion in universities worldwide. Decolonisation is a call to action to decolonise the university, curriculum, museums, and the library and archive. Academic libraries are inextricably linked to universities and are sites for the collection, production, and consumption of knowledge. Some narratives are validated while others are excluded. The academic library is also a site which replicates hegemonic power structures but can be a site of resistance and change, particularly in relation to decolonisation.