Dawoodi Bohra (Mustaali Ismaili)
Mustaali Ismaili Shia community led by the Dai al-Mutlaq from Mumbai. Substantial commercial network. Documented controversy around female genital cutting ('khafz').
CLCI radar
BITE breakdown
0 — Mustaali Ismaili community; documented FGM controversy.
Profile facts
In context
Dawoodi Bohra is the largest Mustaali Ismaili community, distinct from the Nizari Aga Khan-led Ismailis. Multiple Australian, US, and Indian legal cases have concerned the community's practice of khafz (female genital cutting). The Australian Crown Prosecution successfully prosecuted three Bohra in 2015.
Recovery resources
- ICSA (International Cultic Studies Association) — General referral and cult-aware therapist directory.
- INFORM (Information Network on Religious Movements) — LSE-founded UK research-based information service covering new religious movements.
- Reclamation Collective — Religious-trauma-aware therapist network; relevant for post-exit identity-rebuilding.
- Religious Trauma Institute — Religious-trauma clinical research and clinician directory.
- Freedom of Mind Resource Center — Steven Hassan's organisation; BITE-model resources and family-side exit guidance.
See the full curated list at /resources.
Legal cases & controversies
- Australian 2015 FGM convictions
Evidence by BITE axis
- Substantial commercial-network commitment
- Documented FGM ('khafz') practice
- Hierarchical Dai al-Mutlaq authority
- documented FGM controversy
Timeline
- 1094Mustaali / Nizari Ismaili split
- 2015Australian Bohra FGM convictions
Sources
We cite sources by name and outlet rather than fabricating links. Where a source includes its own URL, the open ↗ link opens it directly; otherwise search ↗runs a Google Scholar query for the cited title — useful for verifying academic sources. For news outlets, search the outlet's own archive.
Change history
Substantive edits logged per the score-updates policy.
- 2026-05-29Phase 1 Batch J corrective: Moderate-band (CLCI 17) entry upgraded from Mainstream-comparator lighter palette to NRM high-control palette — Batch J's clci<21 fallthrough was too lean for the documented control vector of this category.
- 2026-05-29Phase 1 Batch J: per-group recovery resources applied via programmatic palette (closest-fit by category + subCategory + score). Palette: Mainstream-comparator lighter.
- 2026-05-20Score band scheme migrated from 4 bands to 5 (Minimal 0–5 / Low 6–12 / Moderate 13–20 / High 21–30 / Extreme 31–40). No CLCI value changed; the new Minimal band was carved out of the bottom of the previous Low band.
Relevant hubs
Curated entry points on CLCI Hub for situations connected to this group.
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Frequently asked questions
Q.Is Dawoodi Bohra a cult?
CLCI Hub deliberately avoids the binary label "cult." Instead it places groups on a transparent 0–40 spectrum of documented control using Steven Hassan's BITE model (Behaviour, Information, Thought, Emotional). Dawoodi Bohra scores 17 out of 40 — "Moderate Control", at medium confidence. The score describes documented control patterns, not a judgement of members' sincerity or beliefs; many members do not personally experience the patterns listed.
Q.What is Dawoodi Bohra's CLCI score?
Dawoodi Bohra scores 17 out of 40 on the Cult-Like Control Index, which falls in the "Moderate" band. That total is the sum of four BITE axes — Behaviour 5, Information 4, Thought 4, Emotional 4 — plus a signed modifier of +0 for aggravating or mitigating factors.
Q.Why does Dawoodi Bohra score 17 on the CLCI?
The score reflects publicly documented patterns including: Documented FGM ('khafz') practice; Substantial commercial-network commitment; Hierarchical Dai al-Mutlaq authority. These map onto the BITE axes of behaviour, information, thought, and emotional control, and a signed modifier of +0 is applied for factors such as financial demands, leadership accountability, and exit costs. Every claim is backed by the citations in the Sources section on this page.
Q.How reliable is the Dawoodi Bohra rating?
This profile is rated Medium confidence. Medium confidence means the score rests on reputable journalism plus consistent ex-member testimony. CLCI scores are not fixed — they are revised whenever new public evidence appears, and groups that reform can score lower over time.
Q.Where can I get help regarding Dawoodi Bohra?
If you or someone you care about is affected by Dawoodi Bohra, start with the Recovery resources listed on this page. General cult-aware support is available from the International Cultic Studies Association (icsahome.com) and the Freedom of Mind Resource Center (freedomofmind.com). CLCI Hub is an educational resource, not a crisis service — if anyone is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services.
Found something wrong on this profile?
We accept correction requests from anyone — current and former members, researchers, journalists, family members, and the listed organisation. Submissions are reviewed by an editor; we do not auto-publish.