Amman - A top-level panel of Islamic scholars in Jordan have issued a judgment that bans the examination of a bride-to-be's virginity even if it is requested by her fiance.

"The examination of hymens is taboo because the genitals of both men and women should not be exposed except out of necessity," according to the judgment issued by the state-funded Council of Eftaa and Islamic Studies.

However, the Jordanian council noted that such an examination of a woman's hymen was permitted if it was requested by "judicial authorities" for the resolution of disputes.

The panel said it had adopted this opinion in response to reports of an increasing number of cases of citizens asking the country's National Forensic Centre to conduct virginity tests.
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• This article was originally published on page 4 of The Star on August 04, 2009