I lived in both North and South Yemen and elsewhere, often amongst tribesman, for nearly three years and can tell you that, whilst there was much about them that is worthy and noble, their social thinking is very much locked into the Dark Ages. Cruelty, torture, barbarity, and their interpretation of the Koran is such, that they will argue the 'Will of God' to justify just about any cruel behavior and thinking. Thus, in their own minds, they are absolved of all sin . . . Their treatment of women was and is such that the cattle fare better. Just go to Afghanistan and see what ignoble deeds the brave Taliban commit against women.
Female circumcision is done for one reason - because the men prefer a woman's vagina thus mutilated.
This, they will argue is their cultural heritage. All this, to please the men. Sincerely, Angela Teal.