Australian verdict on FGM issue becomes talking point in city

The sentencing of a clergy from Dawoodi Bohra community in Australia has set the tongues wagging in city among the members of the community – particularly those fighting the female genital mutilation (FGM) issue.

After Shabbir Mohammedbhai Vaziri, a member of the clergy of the Dawoodi Bohra community in Australia, was convicted for helping two women to cover up the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) on two sisters has sprung up discussion among the community women, who are against the practice in India.

In a reversal of his original sentencing of home detention for Vaziri, justice Peter Johnson passed a judgment on June 9 in which he decided to imprison the 59-year-old for at least 11 months.

The two girls went through FGM on two different occasions between October 2009 and August 2012 when they were aged six and seven respectively. The mother and the midwife have both been convicted with 11 months home detention.

"The Australian verdict clearly shows the role played by the clergy in abetting and perpetuating FGM in the community. There is an urgent need for a stringent law in India as well to bring an end to the practice here," said FGM activist Masooma Ranalvi.

This is a landmark case because for the first time, the members of the Bohra community have been held accountable for the genital cutting of young girls, and it has also given momentum to a strong movement to bring an end to khatna." said Aarefa Johari, co-founder of Sahiyo, spoke on behalf of the NGO.

She further added, "This sentencing would definitely deter a significant section of the Bohras from performing khatna in future, particularly in countries where FGC is illegal. Since the Syedna's office has recently confirmed that khatna must continue as a religious practice, our campaigns will continue to oppose this."

"The verdict in Australia is critically important. It sends a strong message across the globe that this practice is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. An immediate impact will be in countries where khatna is illegal, but I am deeply concerned for our girls in India and other countries where there are no laws to protect them." said Shaheeda Tavawalla, FGM activist.

When dna approached Syedna' office, a community spokesperson said, "It's a travesty of justice. The trial has devastated the lives of the very girls the justice system was supposed to protect. The judge engineered convictions despite having no evidence of injury. His desire to leave his legacy and send messages beyond Australia prevailed over his duty to seek justice. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin has repeatedly instructed his followers to be law-abiding, loyal citizens, and be of benefit to the society in which they live."