In 2022, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin selected London, United Kingdom, as the venue for his Ashara Mubaraka sermons. Nearly four decades in the making and with several years of preparation in place, His Holiness’ announcement was welcomed with great fervour and enthusiasm by the British Dawoodi Bohra community and the international team of volunteers who attend every year. As the first ever Ashara Mubaraka to be hosted in the United Kingdom and the whole of Europe, the event marked the fulfilment of His Holiness’ respected father, Syedna Burhanuddin’s long standing aspiration for this most significant event to take place in London.
The city had always held a special place in His Holiness’ heart, not least because it is where his beloved wife, Amatullah Aisaheba, is laid to rest. The London borough of Northolt houses Husainy Masjid in the Mohammedi Park gated community, a centre for nearly 800 Dawoodi Bohra families in the area and the venue for this year’s momentous gathering. Ashara Mubaraka London was a milestone in the history of the Dawoodi Bohra community. Despite the complexities of peak summer travel and visa requirements for many travellers, more than 12,500 community members were able to attend this historic event in London and participate in the commemoration of Imam Husain’s sacrifice with His Holiness. In order to meet various health and safety requirements and to ensure the most comfort for attendees, a number of consultancy agencies and event management firms were brought on.
Ashara Mubaraka London, was a remarkable example of how community volunteers and hired professionals can come together to organise high-attendance, international events, efficiently and within a short period of time. Thanks to tremendous assistance from various Offices and Ministries within the British government and support from a wide variety of local councils, neighbourhood organisations and well-wishers, the event was a huge success.
