Following the ten day Ashara Mubaraka event held in London this year, His Holiness travelled to Dublin for a two day visit followed by a visit to Manchester. In both cities, he interacted with community members and counselled them to be responsible citizens.
Thereafter, His Holiness travelled to Bradford, where on the 24th of August, he hosted the Lord Mayor, Councillor Martin Love at the community’s Adam Masjid during a sermon. His Holiness and Councillor Love discussed a range of issues, including the Dawoodi Bohras’ long-standing commitment to protecting and enhancing the natural environment and their contribution to the local economy.
The Lord Mayor said, ‘It was very humbling for me to be able to meet and address His Holiness. I could tell how much his visit to Bradford means to you and your colleagues and I hope that you have all had a wonderful experience in the last few days during the visit.’
Following the visit to Bradford, His Holiness travelled to Birmingham where he continued his routine interactions and engagement with community members. On the 26th of August, He departed for Paris, France, via train.
On the 28th of August, His Holiness hosted the Ambassador of India to the Republic of France and Principality of Monaco, Mr Jawed Ashraf at his residence. The Ambassador hailed the community’s SBUT redevelopment project in Mumbai, India, and recalled the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to the Masjid in Indore, where His Holiness conducted the Ashara Mubaraka sermons four years ago.
After nearly a month in the UK and a few days in France, His Holiness departed for Nairobi, Kenya, on the 29th of August.
The Dawoodi Bohras have lived in the United Kingdom since the 1960s. There are around one million members worldwide, including over 2,000 families in the UK, nearly 500 in France and pockets of settlements in countries across Europe. In the UK, members of the community are spread across 9 cities with the largest settlements in London, Leicester and Manchester. Despite relatively small numbers, Dawoodi Bohras all over Europe play important roles in their local societies as peaceful, productive and patriotic citizens.
