Ghurrat ul Masajid, also known as Saifee Masjid, is a Dawoodi Bohra mosque in South Mumbai, Bhendi Bazaar. It was constructed in the early 20th century by Taher Saifuddin.[1]
The 51st leader of the Dawoodi Bohras, Syedna Taher Saifuddin built Saifee Masjid, the largest community mosque of the time in 1926. The mosque measured 34.5 metres in length, 26.7 metres in width, and 15.1 metres in height. It accommodated approximately 5,000 worshippers. Syedna Taher Saifuddin laid the foundation stone of this Masjid on May 6, 1923 (21 Ramadan, 1341 Hijri) and inaugurated the completed masjid in a period of three years on March 9, 1926 (25 Shaban 1344H).[2] [3]
The 51st leader, Taher Saifuddin held 16 Ashara Mubaraka sermons in this masjid and his son 52nd leader, Mohammed Burhanuddin conducted 13 Ashara Mubaraka sermons
In 2011, Burhanuddin delivered his 100th Birthday discourses in this masjid
In 2018, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin laid the foundation stone for reconstructing Saifee Masjid as part of Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment project undertaken by Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust. He inaugurated the reconstructed Saifee Masjid on September 25, 2023.[4]
Saifee Masjid consists of a mixture of various architectural styles; indigenous Indian, Islamic, and classical architecture. The two minarets at each corner of the mosque are adorned with ornamentation.[5] This design has been taken from, Taj Masjid in Morbi, Gujarat, built by the 43rd Dai Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin.
Burmese teakwood from the original mosque, has been reinstalled in the doors, windows, columns and beams. The walls are adorned with Quranic verses, ornate floral motifs and decorative patterns. Chandeliers are designed and hand-crafted in the former Republic of Czechoslovakia. Marble, have been quarried from Makrana in Rajasthan, and intricate mosaics have been used to embellish various parts of the masjid.
The main entrance is inspired by the design of Bab ul-Futuh.
The mosque has a rainwater harvesting system along with a sewage treatment plant. The lights in the utility building are powered entirely by solar panels. Date palm trees provide natural shade in the courtyard