Circumcision is categorized into two types: male circumcision and female circumcision. Male circumcision is the removal of part of the foreskin of the penis, which is recorded in the book of Genesis in the Bible. Circumcision is practiced by a wide range of peoples throughout the world, and early circumcision was commonly performed with stone knives rather than metal knives, thus indicating its long history.

As a tradition, it is practiced at or before puberty, or in some Arab peoples, close to marriage. Male and female circumcision is prevalent in Africa and elsewhere, and is a cruel practice that has been passed down through the centuries.

Circumcision is the removal of the excessively long foreskin from a boy's penis, and is a major rite of passage in the life of all peoples who believe in Islam, belonging to the "Sunnah", and the Shariah stipulates that circumcision must be performed on a Muslim boy at the age of 7-8 or 12, and that those who do not undergo it can make it up to the adult after they have become adults.

Some people perform circumcision in hospitals by having their penis circumcised, which is of course safe and painless, but circumcision is such an important rite of passage that most people perform it in the traditional way at home.

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According to Jewish teaching, circumcision is the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17, vv. 10-14), which is the the first command of God contained in the Bible that all boys be circumcised. Christians are not required to be circumcised, a doctrine originally contained in Acts 15. Circumcision at puberty signifies the breaking away from childhood and becoming an adult.

Female circumcision is practiced in some parts of Africa. Circumcision is widespread in human societies around the world. It is practiced by Muslims, Jews and Australian Aborigines.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Circumcision