Thirteen years after prophethood, the Prophet Mohammed migrated from Makkah and entered Madina on 12th Rabi al-Awwal. The Fatemi Dai and historian Syedna Idris Imad al-Din states that it was this day that marked the beginning of the calendar for all Muslims, literally the ‘first date’. Hence the Islamic calendar is known as the Hijri calendar because it commences with the Prophet’s ‘hijrah’ (migration) to Madina. The Holy Days for the Dawoodi Bohras follow the Hijri calendar. As 12 months of the Hijri calendar are lunar, the year is typically 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year and so the corresponding dates shift each year. This page provides an overview of some of the most culturally significant occasions commemorated by Bohras over the Hijri calendar year. These occasions typically bring together members of the community for social activities, educational sermons and communal meals.

Urs (death anniversary) Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (16th Rabi al-Awwal)
Urs (death anniversary) Syedna Taher Saifuddin (19th Rajab al-Asab)
The urs of Syedna Taher Saifuddin, the 51st dai, whose mausoleum is in Mumbai, India, occurs on the 19th of Rajab al-Asab, the 7th month of the Islamic calendar. Leading the community for an unprecedented 53 years, through world wars and tectonic global shifts, he ushered the Bohras into an age of unparalleled growth in all aspects of life. His guidance enabled Bohras to embrace the best of modern and contemporary practises in education, business and other fields while remaining true to their Islamic roots, traditions and culture.
Urs (death anniversary) Syedna Qutbuddin Shaheed (27th Jumada al-Ukhra)
Urs (death anniversary) Syedna Hatim Mohyuddin (16th Muharram al-Haram)
Eid al-Adha (10th Zil Hijja al-Haram)
The first ten days of Zil Hijja al-Haram, the final month of the Islamic calendar, are considered sacred and are connected to the hajj pilgrimage. The day of Arafat, when pilgrims journey to Mount Arafat, is characterised by fasting and extensive prayers and Eid al-Adha marks the end of the hajj. Both days are significant and celebrated by even those who have not gone for hajj. Eid denotes a celebration or feast and adha refers to the udhiyya or ritual sacrifice offered on this day. Members of the Dawoodi Bohra community gather for the early morning fajr prayers after which they engage in special Eid prayers similar to those offered on Eid al-Fitr. The tenets of Islam encourage Muslims to offer sacrifices on the day of Eid al-Adha and the three days after and partake in the rewards of feeding the hungry.
Eid al-Fitr (1st Shawwal al-Mukarram)
Lailat al-Qadr
Among the final nights of Ramadan is Lailat al-Qadr. The Holy Quran makes special reference to Lailat al-Qadr as the night in which the Holy Quran was revealed and the night which outshines a thousand months. As such, the night is a most sacred and hallowed occasion in the Bohra calendar. One of its most integral aspects is that community members, irrespective of their age, remain engrossed in prayer and supplication all the way until sunrise.
Ramadan
Yaum al-Mabath (27th Rajab al-Asab)
Commemorated on the 27th of Rajab al-Asab, the 7th month of the Islamic calendar, Yaum al-Mabath is a celebration of the day on which the Prophet Mohammed received prophethood and hence the advent of Islam. Community members gather for a sermon during the day in which the prophet’s history, teachings and exemplary conduct are recounted. Special emphasis is placed on observing the day’s fast and even young children observe the fast to the best of their abilities. After sundown, these children are congratulated, presented with garlands and given gift hampers as a token of commendation and encouragement.
Milad (birthday) Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (20th Rabi al-Akhar)
On the 20th of Rabi al-Akhar, the 4th month of the Islamic calendar, members of the Dawoodi Bohra community celebrate the birthday (milad) of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin. It is a joyous occasion preceded by numerous days of activities and programmes ranging from asbaq (traditional gatherings for the dissemination of religious knowledge) to cleanliness drives, food drives, business expos, exhibitions and environmental awareness campaigns among others. After succeeding his late respected father as the head of the community, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin resolved to celebrate his own birthday (milad) on his father’s birthday in his remembrance and as a testament to his 50 years of exemplary service to the community.
Milad al-Nabi (12th Rabi al-Awwal)
Ashura (10th Muharram al-Haram)
Chehlum (20th Safar al-Muzaffar)
Ashara Mubaraka (1st – 10th Muharram al-Haram)
Ashara Mubaraka, or the Blessed Ten, is a period of ten days at the start of the Islamic new year that is dedicated to remembering the tragedy of Karbala and the plight of Imam Husain, his family and companions as well as their stand for Islam, justice, truth and humanity. Like millions of Muslims across the world, the Dawoodi Bohra community dedicates these days to the remembrance of Imam Husain and seeks blessings from this deeply spiritual event under the guidance and leadership of the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. For the Dawoodi Bohra community, Ashara Mubaraka is akin to a spiritual, educational and material journey of growth and development.
Every single Dawoodi Bohra community centre across the world hosts the event for its local congregation with a series of majalis (sing. majlis) or assemblies in the morning and the evening. In the morning majlis the congregation leader delivers a two hour sermon while the evening majlis is usually spent in collective recitation of elegies in which all those gathered for the occasion participate. With each subsequent day, having progressed through various themes in Islamic history and philosophy, the assembly moves closer to the day of Ashura when Husain Imam’s final journey to Karbala is narrated in great detail. Community members close shops and take leave from school and work to participate in these assemblies thereby committing themselves to this remembrance as a humble tribute to Husain Imam’s sacrifice.
The largest gathering within the Dawoodi Bohra community takes place at the venue where His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the head of the Dawoodi Bohra community, leads the commemoration. The Ashara Mubaraka majalis, led by His Holiness himself, are conducted at a scale like no other and offer a truly unique experience for the tens, and sometimes, hundreds of thousands who attend. Continuing the time-honoured tradition of his forefathers, His Holiness chooses a different city as the venue for where he leads Ashara Mubaraka each year: many Bohras resolve to attend with His Holiness year after year.