At the invitation of the Sri Lankan government in 2019, His Holiness chose the capital Colombo as the venue for the Ashara Mubaraka sermons. Despite terrorist attacks earlier in April that year, more than 27,000 people gathered in Colombo with His Holiness.
Standards bearing the name of Husain fluttered high atop Husaini Masjid complex where the gatherings were held, communicating to the world the messages of peace, love and humanity inherent in the martyrdom of Imam Husain and demonstrating their power in healing wounds and bringing people together. The large influx of community members helped rejuvenate Sri Lanka’s economy and was the Dawoodi Bohra community’s statement of faith and confidence in the country and the versatility of its people.
Colombo has been host to Ashara Mubaraka six times in the past during the tenure of the 51st and 52nd daʿis, with the last one being conducted by the late His Holiness Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin in 2008.
Having extended a formal invitation to Syedna to conduct the sermons in Colombo, His Excellency President Maithripala Sirisena called on His Holiness at Husaini Masjid in Bambalapitiya during the fourth sermon. His Holiness warmly welcomed the President in his address and thanked him for the support he and his government had offered while praying for peace and prosperity to prevail in the nation.
President Sirisena then addressed His Holiness and the congregation thanking them for choosing Colombo as the venue for this solemn occasion and recognising the community’s message of peace and humanity.
