[yoe]

Hirsi Ali's mother -- the second of the two wives Hirsi Magan had at the time -- was illiterate but wielded domestic clout. Women had certain narrowly defined areas of power. It was Hirsi Ali's grandmother who managed, following regional custom, to have Hirsi Ali and her sister ritually ''circumcised'' at age 5, against the wishes (and without the knowledge) of Hirsi Magan. (her father)

Is this practice common and does it go on here in America among Muslims?

[Max in Utah]

Is this practice common and does it go on here in America among Muslims?

I assume that it does, since we have recent muslim immigrants from the regions where it is widely practiced, such as Somalia. Since most people who are aware of the practice consider it to be barbaric, I don't think the practitioners are willing to talk about it.

Doctors would be the best source for confirmation.