Puntland religious leaders have strongly opposed a female genital mutilation law passed by the Puntland state parliament which was previously approved by the Council of Ministers.
The law has created widespread anger among Puntland clerics who have strongly opposed it, arguing that its self-serving and not based on public will.
The law, introduced by the Puntland Ministry of Justice and Religious Affairs, bans all forms of female genital mutilation, and clerics say it violates the administration’s constitution and in violation of Article 9 of the Puntland constitution.
Since the cabinet passed the law, there has been a heated debate over the law, with media outlets exchanging views with clerics and some Puntland ministers.
Puntland Minister for Justice Awil Sheikh Hamud responded to clerics who opposed the abolition of female genital mutilation, saying: “The men who spoke are not men I suspect of religious knowledge. In fact, for those who are skeptical, we have religious answers and clear judgments that allow it to be stopped.
There is currently a heated debate over the bill, with clerics divided over the issue, with some supporting the law and others opposing it.
BY OSMAN HUSSEIN ALI
