Mumbai: Women's group defends 'khafz', says it's not FGM

An organisation representing women of Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community on Saturday defended the practice of female circumcision prevalent in the community saying it does not amount to female genital mutilation (FGM), which needs to be banned.

The organisation issued a statement in the wake of Court of Criminal Appeal in New South Wales in Australia overturning the conviction of three people accused of FGM. The court ruled that the traditional Dawoodi Bohra practice of 'khafz' (female circumcision) does not amount to FGM.

The group, Dawoodi Bohra Women's Association For Religious Freedom, said khafz was a harmless religious ritual being followed for centuries, while FGM was unwarranted and it should be abolished. A section of Dawoodi Bohra women have filed a case in the Supreme Court seeking a ban on FGM saying the practice was violation of human rights of children and women.

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