Dawoodi Bohras are the main branch of the Bohras, a Mustaˤlī subsect of Ismā'īlī Shīˤa Islām, and are based in India. Their spiritual leader is Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin. He is known as the Dāˤī l-Mutlaq and is the 52nd Dāˤī in an unbroken chain of Dāˤiyyūn. This group is named Mustaali because they follow Imam Mustalli, after Imam Mustansir Billah, and not Nazaar whom the Aga Khan group consider as their Imam. ... The Ismaili (Arabic الإسماعيليون, Persian: اسماعیلیان Esmâiliyân) branch of Islam is the second largest Shia community, after the Twelvers who are dominant in Iran. ... Shiʻa Islam (Arabic شيعى follower; English has traditionally used Shiite) makes up the second largest sect of believers in Islam, constituting about 30%–35% of all Muslim. ... Islam (Arabic: ; ( (help· info)), submission (to the will of God)) is a monotheistic faith, one of the Abrahamic religions, and the worlds second-largest religion. ... Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin // The 52nd Vicegerent Of The Fatimid Imam His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin is the 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq of the largest group of Mustali Ismailis, the Dawoodi Bohras. ... The vicegerent of the secluded Fatimid Imam and leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community. ...

Bohras believe that the 21st Imām, Tayyab Abī l-Qāsim, a direct descendant of Muħammad via his daughter Fātimatu z-Zahra ("Fatema"), went into seclusion and established the offices of the Dāˤī l-Mutlaq (داعي المطلفق), Ma'ðūn (مأذون) and Mukasir (مكاسر). The Dāˤī l-Mutlaq is the Imām's vicegerent, with full authority to govern the Dawoodi Bohra community in all matters both spiritual and temporal. The Shia Imam is considered by the Shia sect of Islam to be the rightful successor to Muhammad, and is similar to the Caliph in Sunni Islam. ... The 21st Fatimid Imam and son of the 20th Fatimid Imam Mansur al-Amir Bi-Ahkamillah. ... Muhammad in Arabic calligraphy. ... Fatima Zahra also called Fatemeh Al Zahraa or Az-Zahra (Arabic: ) was the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his first wife Khadija. ... The official administrative deputy of a ruler or head of state. ...

During the Imam's seclusion, the Dāˤī l-Mutlaq is appointed by his predecessor in office. The Madhun and Mukasir are in turn appointed by the Dāˤī l-Mutlaq. A fundamental belief of the Dawoodi Bohras is that the presence of the secluded Imām is guaranteed by the presence of the Dāˤī l-Mutlaq.

Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin has appointed Syedi Khuzaima Qutbuddin as his Ma'ðūn and Syedi Husain Husamuddin as his Mukasir. Syedi Khuzaima Qutbuddin is the son of Syedna Taher Saifuddin and was appointed to the office of Mazoon by the 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin. ... Syedi Husain Husamuddin is the son of the 51st Dai al-Mutlaq His Holiness Dr. Syedna Taher Saifuddin. ...

Fatimid Origins

By the instructions of the secluded Imām, after the seclusion of the 21st Fatimid Imām in Egypt, Queen al-Hurra al-Malika of Yemen appointed the first Dāˤī in Yemen in the mid-twelfth century A.D. The Fatimid Dāˤwat (state) was to remain headquartered in Yemen, India and Pakistan (Sindh) under the leadership of the Dāˤī l-Mutlaq. The Fatimids or Fatimid Caliphate (Arabic الفاطميون) is the Ismaili Shiite dynasty that ruled much of North Africa from A.D. 5 January 910 to 1171. ... Sindh (Sind) (Sindhi: سنڌ ;Urdu: سندھ) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and is home to the Sindhis, Muhajirs and various other groups. ...

After acute persecution from the Sunnī majority in Yemen, the Dāˤwat shifted to India and some followers also relocated. However, a large population of Dawoodi Bohras remained in Yemen and do so today. Sunni Islam (Arabic سنّة) is the largest denomination of Islam. ...

Some Bohras' ancestors were converts from Hinduism to Islām in Gujarat, India. Their conversion was the result of the work of some Fatimid missionaries from Egypt and Yemen, which took place before the seclusion of the 21st Fatimid Imām, some time during the caliphate of Imām al-Mustansir. The converted were largely from the Hindu middle and upper castes, many of whom were engaged in trade and commerce. Later, indigenous converts undertook the missionary activities in other regions such as the areas that today constitute Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Hinduism (Devnāgari: ), also known as Sanatana Dharma () and Vaidika Dharma - ) is a worldwide religious tradition that is based on the Indo-Aryan religion of the Vedas, and is generally regarded as the oldest major religion still practiced in the world today [1]. The term Hinduism is an amorphous concept... Islam (Arabic: ; ( (help· info)), submission (to the will of God)) is a monotheistic faith, one of the Abrahamic religions, and the worlds second-largest religion. ... Gujarat (Gujarati: , Hindi: ; , IPA ; also spelled Gujrat and sometimes Gujarath) contained many of the former Princely states of India, and is the second-most industrialized state in the Republic of India after Maharashtra. ... Al-Mustansir (July 2, 1029 – January 10, 1094), was born in Cairo on 16th Jamada II, 420/ and eight months afterwards was declared to succeed his father. ... Caste systems are traditional, hereditary systems of social stratification. ... A missionary is a propagator of religion, often an evangelist or other representative of a religious community who works among those outside of that community. ... Rajasthan (राजस्थान) is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area. ... Madhya Pradesh (मध्य प्रदेश) is a state in central India. ... Maharashtra (Devanagari: महाराष्ट्र, literally: Great Nation) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ...

The word Bohra itself is derived from the Gujarati word Vehwahar, which is interpreted as "trading". Even today, the community indulges mostly in business and trade.

Contemporary Dawoodi Bohras

The Dawoodi Bohras are a very closely-knit community who seek advice from the Dāˤī on spiritual and temporal matters.

While the majority of Dawoodi Bohras have traditionally been traders, it is becoming increasingly common for them to become professionals. Within South Asia many choose to become Doctors, and in the Far East and the West, a large number now work as consultants or analysts as well as a large contingent of medical professionals. Dawoodi Bohras are encouraged to educate themselves in both religious and secular knowledge, and as a result, the number of professionals in the community is rapidly increasing. Unlike many other sects of Islam, Dawoodi Bohras believe that the education of women is equally important to that of men, and many Dawoodi Bohra women choose to enter the workforce. Al Jameatu s-Saifiyah (The Arabic Academy) in Surat and Karachi is a sign to the educational importance in the Bohra community. The Academy has an advanced curriculum which encompasses religious and secular education for both men and women. Composite satellite image of South Asia Map of South Asia. ... Far East is an inexact term often used for East Asia and Southeast Asia combined, sometimes including also the easternmost territories of Russia, i. ... The term Western world or the West can have multiple meanings depending on its context. ... A consultant is a professional that provides expert advice in a particular domain or area of expertise such as accountancy, information technology, the law, human resources, marketing, medicine, finance or more esoteric areas of knowledge, for example engineering and scientific specialties such as materials science, instrumentation, avionics, and stress analysis. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... This article concerns secularity, that is, being secular, in various senses. ... Surat (Gujarati:સુરત) is a port city in the Indian state of Gujarat and administrative headquarters of the Surat District. ... Karachi (Urdu: كراچى ) (Sindhi: ڪراچي) is the largest city in Pakistan and the capital of the province of Sindh. ...

Today there are approximately one million Dawoodi Bohras. The majority of these reside in India and Pakistan, but there is also a significant diaspora resident in the Middle East, East Africa, Europe, North America and the Far East. Look up Diaspora in Wiktionary, the free dictionary The term diaspora (Ancient Greek διασπορά, a scattering or sowing of seeds) is used (without capitalization) to refer to any people or ethnic population forced or induced to leave their traditional ethnic homelands; being dispersed throughout other parts of the world, and the... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... East Africa is a region generally considered to include: Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya Somalia Tanzania Uganda Burundi, Rwanda, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Sudan are sometimes considered a part of East Africa. ... World map showing Europe Europe is conventionally considered one of the seven continents of Earth which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiogeographic one. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... Far East is an inexact term often used for East Asia and Southeast Asia combined, sometimes including also the easternmost territories of Russia, i. ...

The ordinary Bohra is highly conscious of his identity and this is especially demonstrated at religious and traditional occasions by the appearance and attire of the participants. Dawoodi Bohra men wear a traditional white three piece outfit, plus a white and gold cap (called a topi), and women wear the rida, a distinctive form of the commonly known burka which is distinguished from other forms of the veil due to it often being in colour and decorated with patterns and lace. Afghan woman wearing Afghan burqa Two different items of traditional Muslim womens clothing are known as a burqa, (sometimes misspelled as burka or burqua). ... Veils are articles of clothing, worn almost exclusively by women, which cover some part of the head or face. ...

Besides speaking the local languages, the Bohras have their own language called Lisānu l-Dāˤwat "Tongue of the Dāˤwat". This is written in Arabic script but is derived from Urdu, Gujarati and Arabic. The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Arabic (; , less formally, ) is the largest member of the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family (classification: South Central Semitic) and is closely related to Hebrew and Aramaic. ... The phrase Zaban Urdu Mualla written in Urdu Urdu () is an Indo-European language of the Indo-Aryan family that developed under Persian, Turkish, and Arabic influence in Indian subcontinent during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire (1200-1800). ... Gujarati (ગુજરાતી GujarātÄ«; also sometimes Gujrati) is one of the 22 official language and 14 regional languages spoken in India. ...

Remembrance of the martyrdom of Haðrat Imām Husayn, grandson of the Prophet Muħammed, is an essential part of every Bohra community activity. Every year, the head of the community, Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin delivers religious discourses for nine days during the days of Āshūrā and these are attended by a large number of community members. Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abu Talib (c. ... The Day of Aashurah, sometimes spelled ‘Ashurah or Aashoorah, falls on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar. ...

Contributions to the Community at Large

The Bohras originated from Fatimid Egypt and thus their cultural mores are based on the practices of the Fatimid Imāms. This is further found in the myriad constructions that the Bohras have carried out around the world, all of which feature Fatimid influences from the mosques and buildings of Cairo. The Fatimids or Fatimid Caliphate (Arabic الفاطميون) is the Ismaili Shiite dynasty that ruled much of North Africa from A.D. 5 January 910 to 1171. ... Yeni Camii (the New Mosque), one of the landmarks of Ä°stanbul A mosque is a place of worship for followers of the Islamic faith. ... Cairo (Arabic: القاهرة; transliterated: al-Qāhirah) is the capital city of Egypt (and previously the United Arab Republic) and has a metropolitan area population of approximately 15. ...

Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin undertook the complete renovation and restoration of the Mosque of Imām al-Hakīm in Cairo, a project UNESCO had considered but did not undertake. Some of the most important Fatimid-era mosques were also renovated by Syedna Moahmmed Burhanuddin in Cairo as a tribute to the vast and beautiful legacy of the Fatimid Imams. Al Aqmar: A Living Testomony to the Fatemiyeen and Al Juyushi: A vision of the Fatemiyeen are a few to name. Al-Hakim Mosque is one of the largest Fatimid mosques in Cairo. ... UNESCO logo The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, commonly known as UNESCO, is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ...

Currently, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin has taken up the task of renovation of the Masjid al-ˤAzam in Kūfa, Iraq. This place is of historical significance to both the Islamic and the Pre-Islamic era. The mosque is also primarily significant to the Shiates as it is the place of Martydom of Amīru l-Muminīn ˤAlī ibn Abī Tālib. Another significant contribution in Iraq at the moment is the renovation of the shrines of Imām Husayn in Karbala and the shrine of Haðrat ˤAlī in Najaf. Kufa (الكوفة al-Kufa in Arabic) is a city in Iraq, about 170 km south of Baghdad, and 10 km northeast of Najaf. ... For other uses, see Ali (disambiguation). ... Karbalā (Arabic: ; also transliterated as Kerbala, Kerbela, or Karbila) is a city in Iraq, located about 100 km southwest of Baghdad at 32. ... Najaf (Arabic: ) is a city in Iraq, about 160 km south of Baghdad, located at 31. ...

In June 2005, the Dawoodi Bohra community built Saifee Hospital in Mumbai, India. The hospital is one of the most technologically advanced hospitals in the entire country, and was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh on June 4, 2005. At the inauguration, the Dawoodi Bohra community was commended by the Prime Minister during a speech delivered by him. The Saifee Hospital is a State of the art, modern hospital built in Charni Road region of Mumbai, India. ... Mumbai (Hindi / Marathi: मुंबई) (pronounced ), formerly known as Bombay, is the capital of the state of Maharashtra, and the most populous city of India, with an estimated metropolitan population of about 12 million (2005). ... The Prime Minister of India is, in practice, the most powerful person in the government of India. ... Dr. Manmohan Singh (Punjabi: , Hindi: ) is the 14th, and current Prime Minister of India. ...

Current Notable Official Events

In August 2005, His Holiness inaugurated another new mosque in the United States in Fremont, California (metropolitan San Francisco) and was congratulated by various officials and dignitaries from local, state and the United States governments. President George W. Bush also congratulated His Holiness in a letter from the White House [1].

Bohra Zakat

Zakat, a repayment to god of what you have been blessed with, is one of the seven pillars the religion is based on. Dawoodi Bohras pay many different Zakats as part of the religion. The Dawoodi Bohra religious establisment has seven taxes, for lack of a better English word, some of which are encouraged and others required of its members during their life-span, before birth and after death. They are as follows: Zakât (or Zakaat or Zakah) (English:tax, alms, tithe) (Arabic: زكاة, Old (Quran) Arabic: زكوة) is the third of the Five Pillars of Islam in Sunni Islam and one of the Branches of Religion in Shia Islam. ...

(1) Sīlatu l-Imām: Sīla literally means "keeping contact". This is supposed to be collected as an offering for a hidden Imām who will appear one day & the amount would supposedly be passed on to him.

(2) Zakatu l-Fitra: Dawoodi Bohra tradition outlines this as a payment for the soul (see Zakat below). Dowoodi Bohras believe that this payment is one means of cleansing the soul. It is required to be payed along with Zakatu l-Maal, both of which Dawoodi Bohras usually pay in the month of Sherullahu l-Moazzam (Ramadan). Dawoodi Bohras are strictly required to pay this Zakat for every family member as it is compulsary for every Dawoodi Bohra. Even beggars are to beg to be able to pay this Zakat. The amount is fixed, and is based by the annual worth of silver.

(3) Zakatu l-Maal: This obligatory payment enjoined by the Holy Qu'rān and the Prophet Muħammad fixed it at 2.5% of ones wealth and income at the end of a year. Literally, as outlined by the Qu'rān, the amount is 1 for every 40. If a Muslim does not have more than 40 (of any currency), Zakatu l-Maal isn't required. The majority of Muslims (non-Dawoodi Bohra) give this Zakat directly to the needy and poor. Dawoodi Bohra culture and tradition outlines that the Zakat be payed from each family to the Dāˤī, who decides how the money is split and distributed.

(4) Khums: It literally means "one fifth". As per the Qu'ran the one fifth of the war booty was to be taken by the Prophet for his family's maintenance and also for performing functions of a head of community. However, it remained prevalent among the Shia communities. The Shia used to pay one fifth of sudden gain to their Imam from the progeny of the Fatima the Prophet's daughter. The Bohras of course now pay to the high priest who is not Imam ( but a dai i.e. his vicegerent)

(5) Ħaqqun Nafs: It literally means "right of the soul". This is a payment given by Dawoodi Bohras to the Dāˤī at will at many times in a Bohra's life. The payment is based on multiples of 119 (of whatever currency your area uses) At death, a Bohra's family members usually pay a Ħaqqun Nafs for the deceased as an offering of gratefulness for the life the person had lived.

(6) Nazar Muqam: The Nazar Muqam for a Dawoodi Bohra is a symbol for the sight and help of Imām and his Dāˤī. Bohras believe that putting aside money or things of value as Nazar Muqam can help them in times of hardship and need. This money is then presented to the head of the community, the Dāˤī.

(7) Salam and payment for titles : In addition to all these compulsory levy, a Bohra also has to give a personal offering to the high priest that may vary from a few dollars to a million depending on the occasion and one's financial capacity. The amount is voluntary and decided by the Bohra giving the Salam. A Bohra man or woman can be called Mulla, a prestigious title given to a dedicated Bohra. Men can also become Shaykhs, a higher title than that of Mulla. Being given these titles, a Bohra gives an offering of thanks to the Dāˤī, usually a set amount. Shaikh (شيخ, also rendered as Sheik, Shaykh or Sheikh) is a word in the Arabic language meaning an elder or a revered old man. ...

As pointed out above, the collection of these amounts is done very efficiently and systematically. Many of the payments such as Zakat and others are considered vital to being a Dawoodi Bohra, and not paying them is looked down upon and highly discouraged. These payments, being a matter of money, are often disputed by those who see themselves as more openminded in matters of faith. A Dawoodi Bohra's faith in his religion and leader is vital and often the deciding factor in his willingness to give these taxes.

Progressive Dawoodi Bohras

A small minority of the Bohras reject the authority of the Dāˤī over temporal matters, and view the role of the Dāˤī as a spiritual guide only. These dissidents are known as the Progressive Dawoodi Bohra. Asghar Ali Engineer is one of their leaders. The progressive bohras are engaged in a struggle to bring about social reform in the community. A dissident is a person who actively opposes the established order. ... The Mustaali (Arabic مستعلي) group of Ismaili Muslims are so named because they accepted the legitimacy of the Fatimid caliph Al-Mustali, after Mustansir, and not Nizar, whom the Aga Khan group or Nizaris consider as their Imam. ... Asghar Ali Engineer, The Laaentie was born in Bohra priestly family (amils family) on 10th March, 1939 in Salumbar, Rajasthan (near Udaipur) where Qurban Husain, his father, was an amil at that time. ...

See also

• Dawoodi Bohra Āshūrā Locations

Asger Engineer is a centrilfugal element. His idea of reform is ludicrous because it goes against everything the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught during his lifetime. Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin is the 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq of the largest group of Mustali Ismailis, the Dawoodi Bohras. ...

External links and references

• Mumineen.org - The most comprehensive online source of information related to Dawoodi Bohras
• Malumaat.com - A Dawoodi Bohra news website most frequented by Bohras in South Asia.
• Dawoodi Bohra Internet Resources - The Most Comprehensive Collection of Bohra Links on the Internet
• Bohras - Short History of the Dawoodi Bohras.
• Al Vazaratu s-Saifiyah - Official administrative organ of the Dawoodi Bohra community.
• Misbah - Official online magazine published by the Dāˤwat.
• Mullas on the Mainframe Islam and Modernity among Daudi Bohras, A Myth-Shattering Book by Jonah Blank.
• Progressive Dawoodi Bohras