The closure of a circumcision clinic in Hyde has sparked a backlash from the local Muslim community, claiming the closure is an ‘attack on the practice of their religious beliefs’.

An online petition to keep Manchester Circumcision Clinic from being shut down by the CQC has gained more than 500 signatures.

The Hyde Jamia Mosque has called for it’s followers to back the petition on their Facebook page, as the closure is an ‘attack on them to practice their religious beliefs’.

The petition’s author, Nadeem Ahmed, said: “The local community will now be forced to look for other clinics and practitioners who we have no knowledge off [sic] or any trust in.

“This will expose our children to far greater risk as there is a now a possibility that the premises may be unsuitable and the practitioners unqualified. It will also leave us without the access to aftercare.”

In 2013, the clinic owner, also named Dr Nadeem Ahmed, was issued a warning for performing a circumcision on an eight-year-old boy without getting consent from both parents.

Circumcision is considered compulsory by most Shi’a Muslims, and while not mandatory for Sunni Muslims, the practice is still strongly encouraged as it is seen to improve cleanliness.

It is also considered to be a sign of belonging to the Muslim community.

However, the procedure is not without its risks, as 5% of children who underwent circumcision in Central Manchester in 2014 were subsequently admitted to A&E.

The CQC have declined to comment on why the clinic is being shut down, citing legal reasons.

Image courtesy of DRosenbach, via Wikimedia, with thanks.