Thousands of Dawoodi Bohras gather in Mombasa for week-long spiritual celebrations
The gathering also marks the death anniversary of the revered 42nd leader, Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin, who encouraged the Bohras to settle in East Africa.
Over 10,000 Dawoodi Bohras from across East Africa have convened in Mombasa for a week-long celebration and sermons led by their global spiritual leader, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin.
The 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq arrived in Mombasa on Friday following a brief stopover in Nairobi.
Speaking at Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Bohra community coordinator in Mombasa Hamza Shura said there are over 2,000 community members of the Bohra community in the port city and a total of over 10,000 in East Africa.
“Since our religious ceremonies go with social and environmental causes, attending these gatherings is a source of spiritual opportunity to serve humanity,” Hamza said.
Hamza also expressed the community's joy over His Holiness's arrival, noting that he had just returned from Cairo after inaugurating the shrine of Sayyida Zainab, a site of great significance for the Bohras.
The gathering also marks the death anniversary of the revered 42nd leader, Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin, who encouraged the Bohras to settle in East Africa.
According to Hamza, the late 52nd leader, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, alongside Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, was instrumental in establishing the Nairobi campus of the academy inaugurated in April 2017.
The leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin when he was received by the Governor of Mombasa Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir on June 2, 2023. (Photo: The Dawoodi Bohras)
He added that the spiritual leaders, including the current one, have played a key influential role in the country’s spiritual, business, and education circles.
Heritage
Dawoodi Bohra Muslims trace their heritage to the Fatimi Imams who are direct descendants of the Prophet Mohammed, in Egypt.
Their leaders, known as al-Dai al-Mutlaq (unrestricted missionary), first operated from Yemen and, for the last 450 years, from India.
Syedna Saifuddin is the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq who assumed office in January 2014 after succeeding his father, the 52nd al-Dai al-Mutlaq, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin.
He has dedicated his life to the service of the community and the betterment of society at large, with a special emphasis on education, environmental responsibility and socio-economic development.
He is known for guiding his followers across the globe drawing them closer to their faith, culture and heritage.
Additionally, he teaches them the Islamic values of peace and patriotism while emphasising the need for every member of the Bohra community to be productive citizens who make a positive contribution to the social fabric of their respective countries.
The community is known for being highly educated and thriving in various professional fields. With around one million members globally, they have settled in over 40 countries, including significant populations in India, Pakistan, Yemen, East Africa, and the Middle East, as well as growing communities in Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
They are united by a set of old principles including an unwavering commitment to their faith, a genuine love for the countries in which they live, a belief in the value of society, education, women’s empowerment, engagement with other faiths, physical health and well-being, and a responsibility to care for the environment and all creatures that dwell within it.
They have maintained cordial relations with all manner of governments with the aim of fostering harmony and goodwill.
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