A controversial fatwa issued by a senior religious scholar permitting hymen repair or reconstruction has sparked heated debate on Egyptian social media platforms with supporters welcoming it as "sensible" and "long overdue," and opponents decrying it as fraud and deception. Critics feared it may pave the way for girls to have sex out of wedlock and resort to a quick fix before marriage.   

During a live broadcast on Dar al-Ifta's official Facebook page Aug. 31, Ahmed Mamdouh, head of Sharia research department and secretary-general of fatwas at Dar al-Ifta argued that hymen repair was "required and permissible in some cases such as when a girl had been raped or tricked [into having sex out of wedlock] and wished to repent or turn over a new leaf."

He said that while spreading immorality in society is unacceptable, concealing sin is required. "Taunting or ridiculing sinners over their sins is tantamount to closing all doors of mercy and may lead them [the sinners] to despair or encourage them to continue practicing immoral acts and deeds," he noted.

He added, "However, there are some cases in which it is forbidden by Sharia to carry out the procedure of hymen repair." Although he did not elaborate further, he suggested that viewers refer to a research study on hymen reconstruction that he had authored years ago and that was available online. The study rules outperforming hymen repair surgery on "promiscuous" women who choose to engage in sex out of wedlock.