http://www.ffrf.org/fttoday/jan_feb98/islamic.html
The Turkish government is campaigning to ban a bible-based, Moslem-sanctified practice of virginity exams for young women, following the attempted suicides of five teenaged girls in September. The girls took rat poison, then tried to drown themselves after the head of their orphanage ordered the tests when they missed curfew. The girls, ages 12-16, were forced to undergo virginity tests from their hospital beds.
Women's groups are calling for the resignation of Isilay Saygin, Women and Family Affairs Minister, after she made comments that the virginity tests are a "deterrent" and protect girls "from defamation."
In conservative sections of Turkey, relatives routinely gather outside the bedroom of a honeymoon couple to make sure the sheets are stained with blood, as prescribed in the Old Testament.
