Some 50,000 Dawoodi Bohra community members today gathered at Azad Maidan to endorse their solidarity and offer their condolences to their new spiritual leader, the 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS in Mumbai.

The overwhelmed with grief Dawoodi Bohra members in Mumbai and in the suburbs participated in the event that was attended by highly respected religious leaders, community scholars, professionals, business persons and students including women and children.

This is on the backdrop of – while the community still mourns the demise of their spiritual leader, Mr. Khuzaima Qutbuddin, the late Syedna’s half brother and uncle of the present 53rd Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS has made a false claim to be the successor of the 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq Syedna Mohammed BurhanuddinRA . This wrongful claim has thus, tremendously aggrieved the community members and has caused grave pain to each and every Dawoodi Bohra around the world as they have witnessed the 52nd Dai al-MutlaqRA publicly appoint his second son Syedna Mufaddal Saifudddin TUS as his successor by conferring Nass (investiture) in 2011 in Mumbai and had also explicitly reaffirmed it on many occasions since several years.

A Representation was read out at the venue before a delegation of community leaders and members of Anjuman-e-Shaite Ali visited Chief Minister Shri Prithviraj Chavan and presented it to him that states the solidarity of Dawoodi Bohra community members in recognising and respecting the legitimate leadership of His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS.

Apart from Mumbai, Dawoodi Bohras across the world are expressing their sentiments of solidarity to their beloved spiritual leader and pray for the long and healthy life of the 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS.

 

Shri Prithviraj Chavan

Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra

Mumbai

We, the congregation of Dawoodi Bohras residing in Mumbai are overwhelmed with grief and sorrow since the passing away of our leader the 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin^RA – head of the worldwide Dawoodi Bohra community.  In 1965 (1385 H), on the demise of his illustrious father the 51st Dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Dr. Syedna Taher Saifuddin^RA,
His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin^RA succeeded him by nass (investiture) conferred upon him during the lifetime of the 51st Dai al-Mutlaq.

His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin^RA led the community for
50 years, tirelessly working for our growth, development and success in all spheres of our life – be it spiritual, religious, educational, economic or social.  Inspite of his many travels and busy schedule, he took out time for even looking into our family matters.  He uplifted the community to such great heights which are unparalleled in the history of our community.

The 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin^RA has appointed his son – His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin^TUS by nass (investiture) as his successor to succeed him as the 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq and head of the worldwide Dawoodi Bohra community.

We, the Dawoodi Bohra community members are in deep mourning and it seems impossible for us to bear this great loss of our beloved leader, but we take solace from his son and his successor the 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin^TUS.

In this difficult time, Khuzema Qutbuddin – half-brother of the late Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin^RA and uncle of the 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin^TUS has made a false claim to be the successor of the late Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin^RA – which has tremendously aggrieved us and caused grave pain to each and every Dawoodi Bohra around the globe.  On account of this false claim the entire Dawoodi Bohra community the world over is disturbed.

In such circumstances, we request you to appreciate the sentiments of the Dawoodi Bohra Jamaat of Mumbai.  Khuzema Qutbuddin should not be accorded any recognition as the successor of the 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin^RA or conferred any legitimacy by any section of the Government, any authority or any agencies in any manner whatsoever.

We disassociate with the said breakaway group and to maintain peace and avoid disturbances, we do not interfere in any affairs of the breakaway group and they should not be permitted to interfere in any of our matters.

Tuesday, dated this 28th day of January 2014

For, Anjuman-e-Shiate Ali

Khoozema M. Faizullabhoy

(Hon. Gen. Secretary)