A counselor in Egypt holds up cards used to educate women about female genital mutilation (FGM) in Minia.
A counselor in Egypt holds up cards used to educate women about female genital mutilation (FGM) in Minia.Reuters File

Over a dozen media outlets broke out in frenzy on Thursday, reporting that the ISIS jihadists have passed a law making it mandatory for women in Iraq to go through genital mutilation. However, it is now being said that the report, which claimed that over 4 million Iraqi women aged between 11 to 46 would be affected, could be false.

The report gained traction, especially after BBC citing a United Nations official claimed that the Islamic State militants have issued a decree that could affect over four million Iraqi women.

But several media outlets have raised doubts on the validity of the report, following which even BBC went on back-foot.

"This is something very new for Iraq, particularly in this area, and is of grave concern and does need to be addressed," Reuters quoted UN's resident and humanitarian coordinator in Iraq, Jacqueline Badcock. "This is not the will of Iraqi people, or the women of Iraq in these vulnerable areas covered by the terrorists."

Meanwhile, after the news break, several journalists with contacts in Iraq, have stated that the report could be a hoax.

It has come to light that several media houses were fooled into believing the Fatwa that was issued on social media networks. Interestingly, the post was later 'mysteriously' deleted.

Practices of Female Genital Mutilation have been reported in 29 African countries and in parts of Asia and the Middle East.

The practice involves partial or total circumcision of the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and reportedly over 3 million girls worldwide come under FGM risk.