Birth Rites

A baby is bathed immediately after birth, before giving it to the mother. The father (or mother or the imam) then whispers the call to prayer in child's ears so that the first sounds it hears are about Muslim faith. Circumcision of the male child is recommended within the first seven days. If for some medical reason this is not possible it can be performed before puberty. A baby born prematurely but at least 130 days gestation is given the same treatment as any other infant.