Annual ‘berkhatan’ gathers 30 Muslim boys
MIRI: The year- end school holiday is usually a jolly period for the children here but for many Muslim young boys, it also signals a time for them to undergo a rite of passage into manhood – ‘berkhatan’ (circumcision).
Fear, anxiety, apprehension, nervousness and even some tinge of excitement could be seen on the faces of 30 local Muslim boys, aged seven to 13, during the annual mass circumcision programme at ‘ Madrasah As- Syibyan Miri’ (Sekolah Agama Rakyat Miri) last Sunday, organised by the school and run by its parent-teacher association ( PTA).
It is learnt that it was the third year that the ‘madrasah’ (religious school) held the ‘ berkhatan’ programme, which involved its pupils and also some local Muslim boys.
One of them, 11-year- old Taufiiqul Hakeem Affendi said his mother encouraged him to undergo circumcision this year. He admitted that although he was ready, he could not ‘shake off the nervousness’.
“I’ve been feeling nervous since last night, but having seen my friends who will also go through the same thing today, it lifts that feeling off me a little.
“My mum also advises me to relax, remain calm and pray to Allah – that everything will be alright,” he said.
Another boy, Hazree Aris Hazman, said his mother tried to uplift his spirit by comparing ‘berkhatan’ to delivering a baby.
“My mum has assured me that it would not hurt – it is far, far less than the pain felt by mothers in giving birth multiple times.
“My dad even says that getting an injection hurts three times more than being circumcised.
“I still feel nervous and anxious, despite seeing other boys here. Nonetheless, I will do my best to stay positive later,” said the 12-year- old, who could be seen trying very hard to maintain his composure.
The ceremony commenced early morning, but the first boy was taken in around 9.30am.
The Sunday programme involved 10 doctors, five nurses and one medical assistant from Miri Hospital – this team was led Dr Mohammad Muzakkir Ibrahim.
According to him, the process to remove the foreskin from the penis would normally take around 15 to 30 minutes – starting with the ‘ patient’ receiving local anaesthetic.
The healing stage would take about a week – or in many cases, in just a few days, said the doctor.
“Depending on the patient, sometimes he would heal after two to three days – there is no need for a follow-up with the doctor, unless if there’s continuous bleeding. We would provide patients with painkillers, antibiotics and creams for postsurgical treatment.”
Nevertheless, Dr Muzakkir also stressed about a number of conditions that would determine whether a boy could or could not undergo ‘berkhatan’.
“The doctors would look at the condition of the penis – whether it is ‘normal’. If a condition called hypospadias is present, we must not proceed with the circumcision – we must refer it to a child care specialist.”
Hypospadias is termed as a congenital condition where the opening of the urethra (or the urine tube) is on the underside of the penis, instead of being at the tip.
“Another thing that we need to be aware of is the bleeding disorder, haemophilia. This is where circumcision must be done at hospital because of the risk it imposes,” he told The Borneo Post.
It is said that in Malaysia, the average age of boys up for undergoing circumcision is 10 years old and above.
Modern techniques and better medical facilities nowadays have helped make the procedure safer and relatively less painless than it was decades before.
Prior to undergoing circumcision, all the 30 boys were taken for a procession around the madrasah – accompanied ‘zikir’ ( songs of praise) performed by the An-Nur troupe of Kampung Piasau Utara – before receiving well wishes in a ‘ tepung tawar’ ceremony.
After that, the boys were ‘hosed down’ by the firefighters from Fire and Rescue Department Miri – a vestige of a ritual in the old days when the boys had to soak in the river for hours before the circumcision.
Next came the moment of truth – the boys were lined up outside five booths set up inside the madrasah hall, which served as the temporary ‘operation theatres’.
This was when parents could hear some of the boys reciting prayers loudly – a few were heard screaming.
Nevertheless about half an hour later, the boys came out clasping their ‘sarongs’ up – appearing calm and relieved.
Madrasah headmistress Fauziah Mokhtar Khan, PTA chairman Azmee Abdillah, Miri Malay Charitable Trust Board trustee Penghulu Samad Alip and Masjid At-Taqwa religious officer Rahmat Abdul Razak were also present at the event.