Imam under investigation
POLICE are investigating claims that a Muslim leader in Easton was caught on camera advocating female genital mutilation.
The Imam of Masjid al-Huda mosque on Fox Road was allegedly filmed by an undercover reporter from a national newspaper urging a follower to take women and girls abroad to have parts of their genitalia removed. The practice, known as FGM, was banned in the UK in 2003 and it is also illegal to encourage anyone to carry it out overseas.
The footage was obtained by the Sunday Times when a reporter posed as a Muslim seeking advice.
During a meeting at the mosque, the Imam is reported to have said: "In this country, it is not possible, we cannot do that.
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"The only advice I can give you, if you can, if possible, take your sister or your daughter to other countries that allows, it's no problem."
Although FGM is not advocated by Muslim scripture, it is practised in about 30 countries, including Somalia, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. It involves the removal of external female genitalia and in some cases the vagina being sewn partly shut.
People convicted of being involved in or facilitating FGM can be jailed for up to 14 years but so far in the UK there have been no prosecutions.
Police spokeswoman Claire Stanley said: "Information has been provided to the police and the substance of this is being reviewed prior to any decision being made on the way forward.
"We remain committed to working with our partners on an ongoing basis to tackle this very serious issue and are in consultation with them."
When contacted by the Post, a representative of the mosque declined to name the imam allegedly involved or to put a reporter in touch with him. He would not comment further, other than to say that the case was with the mosque's "legal advisors".
Comments
by shaun1964
Wednesday, May 09 2012, 4:25PM
“disgusting practice and i would say serious sexual assault.how would he like his parts sewn up for the reason of pleasure.”
by SpinyHedgehog
Wednesday, May 02 2012, 6:23PM
“Indeed, roly. This is what I've always understood, that FGM is NOT a religious obligation for Muslims. In which case, this imam's advice is even more deplorable...”
by roly12345
Wednesday, May 02 2012, 6:15PM
“If you are interested in reading a brief, but informative article on FGM and Islam...
http://tinyurl.com/8y32yrs”
by SpinyHedgehog
Wednesday, May 02 2012, 5:49PM
“@Bedmootoo
"Hmmm, yeah FGM (who knew it had an acronymy!?)"
Anybody who's campaigned against it for years, perhaps?”
by Oddly
Wednesday, May 02 2012, 5:30PM
“@Bedmootoo
You seem to be missing the point that the guy in question is URGING people to do this, in your hurry to put words into peoples mouths. Smug.”
by Bedmootoo
Wednesday, May 02 2012, 2:59PM
“Eurgh! Right, so one guy says something ridiculous - you lot take it as: this is what all muslims BELIEVE. You're idiots. The non-religious bloke making statements about jesus - he takes the biscuit. Enjoy your monochrome perspectives on life, fingers crossed god does exist and she's getting ready to judge.”
by Cider_Dog
Wednesday, May 02 2012, 2:47PM
“In a word - barbaric, on par with stoning women. You can say what you like about Christianity but at least Jesus believed in forgiveness. I am not a religious person by the way (unless you count football as religion)”
by Bedmootoo
Wednesday, May 02 2012, 12:19PM
“Hmmm, yeah FGM (who knew it had an acronymy!?) is obviously awful. All I was saying is that if you ask any crusty religious sort about thier beliefs theres space for everyone to be shocked. Irrespective this is another nice example of the political trolls here. Enjoy your majority.”
by roly12345
Tuesday, May 01 2012, 8:30PM
“The female version of circumcision is barbaric in the extreme and has no arguable medical benefit what-so-ever.
It's sole purpose is to diminish the act of sex to a function of reproduction without enjoyment, in an attempt to keep them pure and faithful.
I would hope every Imam in this country was free to denounce this horrific practise without fear of retaliation and that every parent loved their children enough to see through what is obviously a divisive instrument for male domination.”
by Morrissey9
Tuesday, May 01 2012, 3:43PM
“Sounds like he is just telling them what is publicly known - some countries in the world still do FGM. Shame on him obviously for advocating it, but it is hardly facilitating it in the same way as someone who forced people to do it or physically organised a trip to carry out the procedure so wouldn't be anywhere near worthy of the maximum 14 years. Shame we don't also consider the male version carried out by religions quite legally in the UK to be in the same league...”