Rooted in Tradition,
Thriving Throughout the World:
Meet the Dawoodi Bohras

Dawoodi Bohra Muslims trace their heritage to the Fatimi Imams, direct descendants of the Prophet Mohammed, in Egypt.

The Dawoodi Bohras throughout the world are guided by their leader known as the al-dai al-mutlaq (unrestricted missionary), who first operated from Yemen and then, for the last 450 years, from India.

The present leader is the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. Syedna Saifuddin assumed office in January 2014, succeeding his father and predecessor, the 52nd al-Dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin.

About Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin

The Al Jami al-Anwar is one of the oldest masjids in Cairo, Egypt and holds immense cultural and religious significance for the Dawoodi Bohra community

Business-mindedness and the spirit of entrepreneurship are among the hallmark traits of Dawoodi Bohras

The Dawoodi Bohras today are generally highly educated, thriving business people and qualified professionals in numerous fields.

Aggregating to around 1 million members, the Dawoodi Bohras have settled in over 40 countries across the globe to practice their faith and lead meaningful and prosperous lives. Most Dawoodi Bohra community members live in India with large congregations also in Pakistan, Yemen, East Africa, and the Middle East as well as growing populations in Europe, North America, South East Asia and Australia.

The Dawoodi Bohras are united by a set of centuries old principles; an unwavering commitment to the 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. Bohras have always been loyal and law-abiding citizens wherever they live. They have maintained cordial relations with all manner of governments with an aim of fostering harmony and goodwill. From Mughal emperors to the British Raj as well as with modern day political parties, the dais have looked for common ground on which to lay the foundations for mutual understanding that can lead to betterment for all.

Bohras have always been loyal and law-abiding citizens wherever they live.

Ezzi Masjid was inaugurated by His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin in 2015

For the Dawoodi Bohras, as for many Muslims throughout the world, the masjid is the beating heart of their community

Our Faith

The foundation of the Dawoodi Bohra faith is based on peace, love and humanity. The Dawoodi Bohras follow the Fatimi Ismaili Tayyibi school of thought. Their faith is based on the belief in one deity; Allah Taʿala, in the Holy Quran as the word of Allah and in the sacred mission of the Prophets and their successors. They worship Allah for salvation in the hereafter by following the pillars of Islam and adhering to religious practices ordained by the sharia including reciting the Quran, the five daily prayers and fasting during the month of Ramadan.

Learn More about Our Faith

Heritage

The Dawoodi Bohra community have inherited a distinguished heritage and rich historical legacy which traces to the Fatimi imams, direct descendants of the Prophet Mohammed through Imam Ali bin Abi Talib, son in law of the Prophet, and Fatima, daughter of the Prophet and wife of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib.

The Fatimi imams, adopting their name from Fatima, functioned first from Medina, spreading over to North Africa and Egypt in later centuries. During the 10th – 12th centuries, they ruled over large parts of the Islamic world extending from North Africa in the west to as far as Pakistan in the east.

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The masjid of the Fatimi Imam al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah in Cairo, known as al-Jamiʿ al-Anwar, holds immense significance for the Dawoodi Bohra community.

The gilded outer dome of Imam Husain's Mausoleum in Karbala

Culture & Traditions

Language

A unique cultural hallmark of the worldwide Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community is its distinctive language, Lisan al-Dawat, commonly known in the community as dawat ni zaban.

Dress

The Dawoodi Bohras are unified and distinguished by their unique attire, called Libas al-Anwar. It includes the rida for women and the saya kurta for men, emphasizing modesty, cultural identity, and adherence to religious values.

Cuisine

The Dawoodi Bohras' cuisine celebrates diverse culinary traditions, noting how food plays a central role in religious rites and cultural events, with special dishes marking significant occasions and embodying their values of hospitality and community.

Trade and Business

The Dawoodi Bohras espouse a strong entrepreneurial ethos, supported by a robust network and a focus on ethical practices and mutual cooperation, reflecting their historical identity as traders, which is also denoted by the name "Bohra," derived from Gujarati meaning 'trader' or 'businessman.'

Majlis (Congregations)

The Dawoodi Bohrasgive high regard to the importance and structure of congregational gatherings, highlighting their role in fostering community bonds, spiritual growth, and the observance of religious traditions through regular assemblies and special events.

Ziyarat (Pilgrimage)

The Dawoodi Bohras' pilgrimage page describes the significance, locations, and practices associated with the ziyarats, which are visits to sacred sites and shrines that hold religious and historical importance for the community.

Lisan al-Dawat takes its basic syntax and structure from the Gujarati language, but its script and a substantial part of its vocabulary consist of Arabic words.

Bohra attire is inspired by Islamic principles and as for most cultures and civilisations throughout history, Bohra dress has physical, psychological, social and spiritual significance.

Food plays an important role in Bohra religious rites as well as cultural traditions and certain dishes have therefore become synonymous with special occasions.

Bohras remain a trading and business community renowned for their honesty, fairness and trustworthiness.

The majlis is an age-old tradition in which Dawoodi Bohras gather for the remembrance (zikr) of Allah.

The Raudat Tahera in South Mumbai is the resting place of the 51st and 52 Dai, His Holiness' Syedna Taher Saifuddin and Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin respectively.

About The Bohras

Office of the Al-Dai Al-Mutlaq

Values

Institutions and Projects