A Legacy of
Educational Empowerment

Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin delivers a sermon at the historic Saifee Masjid in Bhendi Bazaar, Mumbai, in 2024. Syedna’s sermons offer guidance and insights on contemporary life while engaging with the community and fostering a strong connection with the younger generation.

To elevate humanity, we must prioritise education, not as a luxury or an option, but as the quintessential cornerstone of our existence. No amount of effort expended in its pursuit can ever be deemed sufficient, because the quest for knowledge is a lifelong journey that defines our purpose as human beings.

Syedna looks on as President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya reviews a manuscript in the care of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah’s library on the occasion of the inauguration of the Nairobi campus in 2017.

Learning and education are fundamental to Islam, with the pursuit of knowledge considered an obligation for all Muslim men and women. Upholding this principle, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin and his predecessors have dedicated themselves to disseminating knowledge and promoting education. His Holiness continues this mission by both sharing knowledge personally and supporting educational institutions. Through these efforts, he exemplifies the ideals of a lifelong learner and educator, maintaining the Dawoodi Bohras’ status as one of the world’s most well-educated communities.

Sermons and Writings: Guiding the Community

Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin delivers scores of sermons throughout the year that have a significant role in preserving the community’s faith and culture. In his sermons, he offers guidance and insights on various aspects of contemporary life, applying Quranic wisdom and Islamic principles to the complexities and challenges of the modern world. These sermons address universal human

concerns as well as the specific issues faced by the Dawoodi Bohra community in different parts of the world, making them relevant to a wide audience. Syedna Saifuddin actively engages with the attendees, particularly children, who are seated up front. Select sermons are broadcast worldwide, serving as a vital conduit for spiritual guidance and wisdom within the community and a way for Syedna Saifuddin to connect with his global audience.

From a chamber room overlooking the ceremonial hall of Aljamea’s original campus in Surat, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin personally oversees the annual examinations, maintaining the time-hon- oured commitment of his predecessors to nurture every aspect of this sacred endeavour to impart knowledge.

In addition to honouring the oratory traditions of the Fatimid faith and his predecessors, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin has written on a wide range of themes and concepts related to the beliefs and history of the Dawoodi Bohra community. His literary works include both prose and poetry, with numerous verses composed in supplication to the Almighty and in reverence of the Fatimid Imams. These literary compositions are shared with the community, often during occasions of religious significance, and are discussed for their literary merits in various educational settings.

With campuses in Surat and Mumbai (India), Karachi (Pakistan), and Nairobi (Kenya), Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah carries forward the rich legacy of Fatimid learning. Its newest campus, inaugurated in February 2023, features a ceremonial entrance inspired by a thousand-year-old gateway from Cairo, symbolising a timeless tradition of knowledge and scholarship.

The Benefactor of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah

As the premier academic institute of the Dawoodi Bohra community, Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah (Aljamea) has a rich history of imparting knowledge and preparing community leaders under the guidance of the Dai. Established in Surat, India, in 1 810, the Dais nurtured the institute over the years, expanding its curriculum, improving its infrastructure, and broadening its scope. The role of Aljamea as a manifestation of the community’s values and ideals is evident through the noteworthy distinction that the 51st, 52nd, and 53rd Dais have all welcomed heads of state and world leaders to its campuses.

Quranic Wisdom

Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin’s educational vision for the Dawoodi Bohra community places a strong emphasis on the study and memorisation of the Holy Quran. Committing the Quran to memory is a means of internalising its meanings and embodying its moral values, enabling individuals to become deeply connected with themselves and the world around them, better prepared to serve their communities and wider society. Syedna Saifuddin’s aspiration is that every household in the community has at least one member who knows the entire Quran by heart. To work towards this goal, Mahad al-Zahra, a division of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah dedicated to the Quranic sciences and arts, employs innovative methods and resources to make Quranic education accessible to community members worldwide. This approach exemplifies how faith-based traditions and practices can nurture individual development, ethical growth, and an enlightened understanding of one’s role in serving others, resonating with universal principles that transcend cultural and religious boundaries.

In the Islamic tradition, elders often lead the recitation when a Muslim child reads the Holy Quran for the first time. Here, the young students receive this honour from Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin (above).

The MSB School in Rajkot reflects His Holiness’ commitment to world-class educational infrastructure (next page).

Building a Global Educational Network

Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin oversees a vast network of educational institutions worldwide, including 70 schools, multiple colleges, and 600 religious instruction centres. The M S B Educational Institute, a flagship institution, operates primary and secondary schools in 24 cities across South Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa. These institutes emphasise harmonising tradition with modernity, equipping students with tools to excel in their careers and contribute to society while adhering to Islamic values. Several trusts funded by personal donations from His Holiness and community members offer grants and scholarships for education and self-development. This emphasis on education has resulted in a 100% literacy rate within the Dawoodi Bohra community, and remarkable levels of educational attainment, particularly for women.

Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin and his predecessors have generously supported educational institutions worldwide, beyond those under their direct administration. At Karachi University, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin funded the Department of Genetics bearing his name, while Syedna Saifuddin dedicated new premises for the Faculty of Law. His Holiness and the Dawoodi Bohra community also support a number of schools in rural parts of South Asia and East Africa.

Chancellorship at Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamialig

Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, like his father and grandfather before him, holds a deep and longstanding association with India’s historic centre of learning, Aligarh Muslim University (A M U). Accepting the position of Chancellor in April 2015, he was unanimously re-elected for a second term in 2 018. During his tenure, Syedna Saifuddin presided over significant events and milestones at A M U, including the 63rd Annual Convocation, the inauguration of the new Centenary Gate, and delivering an address to the students and faculty in a virtual celebration of the university’s centenary with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Chief Guest. Beyond his honourary role, Syedna Saifuddin’s meaningful contributions to A M U include donating 1000 computers to affiliated high schools,