Female circumcision: 'Syedna favours respecting local laws'

The Dawoodi Bohra community here today clarified that its top authority had asked the community bodies across the world to respect the laws of the respective country with regard to the controversial practise of female circumcision.
In many parts of the world, the Anjumans, the administrative bodies of the Dawoodi Bohra Jamaats, have directed their "congregations" not to undertake 'khafz' (female circumcision) if it is banned under the laws of the country, the community said in a statement.
"These resolutions (by Anjumans) reflect the repeated directions of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin (the top spiritual leader of the community) to respect the law of the land and live as worthy and contributory citizens within prevailing laws," it said.

Syedna Saifuddin and his predecessors have always guided the community towards upholding the Islamic values and obligations, and have always emphasised the need for abiding by the laws of the countries in which one resides, it said.
"It is clarified that contrary to the media reports following the sermon of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin on April 25, 2016, these resolutions of the Anjumans (asking to abide by the law of the land) have not been nullified and continue to be valid," the statement said.
Some media reports had stated that Syedna Saifuddin had in a recent sermon at the Saifee Mosque here "indirectly endorsed" the female circumcision, a tradition opposed by reformists within the community and the women's organisations.