On June 1st, 2016, Dawoodi Bohra members of the Boston Jammat (congregation) received a letter informing them that on May 31st, 2016, a resolution was passed against the practice of khafd or khatna (as FGC is known in the Dawoodi Bohra community). Below is one Jammat member’s response to receiving the letter.
By Zehra Patwa
As a member of the Boston jamaat (congregation), I am happy to see this letter. The jamaat did the right thing to help parents find relief from the community and family pressure to get their daughters cut.
However, it sows confusion for our friends and families in India, Pakistan and the Gulf because they feel they are being told to do khatna (FGC) where there is no law to prevent it.
What we need is a worldwide standard for all Bohras. Given the many Bohra standards sent down from the Central Dawat, this issue can be handled the same way.
If you had a daughter in India, Pakistan or Dubai, would you still consider subjecting them to khatna if your sisters in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States are specifically told not to?
The answer should be no. We are all part of the same Bohra community. Let’s all have the same standards, as we always have.