Germany is poised to pass a law that will legalise religious circumcision if it is performed by a person who is medically qualified.

The legislation follows a May ruling in Cologne that criminalised non-medical circumcision of minors in that district.

In practice, the law means that mohels will be able to continue perform circumcisions, provided they obtain the relevant medical qualification.

Dieter Graumann, the president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, told the Times of Israel: “It is a clear political signal that Jews and Muslim are still welcome in Germany. We are happy that Jewish commandments and Jewish life are not being pushed into illegality.”

The bill will be discussed by the German cabinet on Wednesday, after which it is expected to be voted into law by the Bundestag.