| Aali Qadr Mufaddal Saifuddin | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth Name: | Aali Qadr Mufaddal | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Native Name: | عـالي قـدر مُـفـضّـل سـيـفُ ٱلـدّين | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Native Name Lang: | ar | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth Date: | 20 August 1946 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth Place: | Surat, Bombay Presidency, British India | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Children: |
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| Office1: | Da'i al-Mutlaq | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor1: | Mohammed Burhanuddin | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor1: | Incumbent | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Term Start1: | 17 January 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Religion: | Islam | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sect: | Ismailism | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Subsect: | Dawoodi Bohra | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Father: | Mohammed Burhanuddin | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mother: | Aaisaheba Amatullah | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse: | [3] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Module1: |
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| Module2: |
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| Background: |
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Syedna Dr. Mufaddal Saifuddin (T.U.S.) is the spiritual leader, the 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq[7] of one million Dawoodi Bohras,[8] a subgroup of the Tayyibi, Mustaali, Ismaili Shia branch of Islam.[9] [10] He is the second son of the 52nd Da'i al-Mutlaq, Mohammed Burhanuddin, whom he succeeded in 2014.[11] [12] He is the Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Miliya Islamia University situated in India. He has led a number of cultural, social, and economic initiatives. In Islamic Cairo, he rebuilt shrines of the Ahl al-Bayt and led the restoration of medieval Fatimid architecture, notably Al-Anwar Mosque,[13] Al-Aqmar Mosque, Al-Juyushi Mosque, and Lulua Mosque.[14] [15] In Yemen, he has spearheaded several campaigns to improve socio-economic conditions of the inhabitants of the Haraaz region, introducing sustainable agricultural systems, improving local infrastructure and providing equal access to education for children.[16]
Saifuddin oversees community programs throughout the world, such as the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Project in Mumbai’s Bhendi Bazaar, Project Rise (a Dawoodi Bohra global philanthropic initiative), and the FMB community kitchen,[17] which work towards socio-economic development, environmental conservation,[18] food security and reducing food waste.
Mufaddal Saifuddin was born on 20 August 1946 (23 Ramadan 1365 A.H.) in Surat, India,[19] and was given the name Aali Qadr Mufaddal (Arabic:عالي قدر مفضل, Abjad value 1365, which corresponds to his Islamic year of birth) by his grandfather Taher Saifuddin. His kunya is Abu Jafar us Sadiq and his laqab is Saifuddin.[20]
During the era of his grandfather Taher Saifuddin, he began the recitation of the Quran in Saifee Villa, Colombo.[21] He received much of his spiritual tutelage from his father, Mohammed Burhanuddin, and his father-in-law, Yusuf Najmuddin. He completed his undergraduate education in India and Egypt from Al-Azhar University and Cairo University.[22] In 1969, he graduated from Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah in Surat with the al-Faqih al-Jayyid degree (the Distinguished Jurist). In 1971, he was conferred with the degree of al-Aleem al-Baari (the Outstanding Scholar).
Saifuddin married Jawharatusharaf Najmuddin, daughter of Yusuf Najmuddin, on 1 January 1970.[23]
At 22 years of age, his father Burhanuddin designated him as his successor by performing nass (appointment by designation) on him in 1969, and later in 2005 and 2011.[24]
Saifuddin was appointed Amirul Hajj by his father Burhanuddin in 1390 AH (1970 CE). After Hajj, he travelled to Karbala, Najaf, Syria, Misr and Yemen. In Yemen, he laid the foundation for the 3rd Da'i al-Mutlaq Hatim's mausoleum. After that journey, Burhanuddin bestowed upon him the honorific title Aqeeq-ul-Yemen in 1391 AH/1971 AD.[25] [26]
Saifuddin often accompanied his father Mohammed Burhanuddin on his travels.[27]
Saifuddin led numerous projects for the restoration of medieval Fatimid mosques in Egypt and other Islamic edifices. Projects include the restoration and revival of Al-Hakim Mosque (al-Jamea al-Anwar),[13] the restoration of the masjid of Zoeb bin Moosa in 1406H,[28] the restoration of Aqmar Mosque in 1408H,[29] construction of the mosque of Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Ismail in Salamiyah in 1414H, restoration of the Lulua Mosque and Juyushi Mosque in 1416H, construction of the zareeh of Zaynab bint Ali in Cairo in 1416H, construction of the Mashhad Ras al-Husayn in Ashkelon in 1421H, the construction of the Mazar and Mosque of Hatim bin Ibrahim in 1425H,[30] and the discovery of the burial places of eight Da'i al-Mutlaq in Yemen.[31] [32]
During his centenary birthday celebrations, in 2011, Mohammed Burhanuddin announced that a new Aljamea tus Saifiyah campus would be built in Nairobi, Kenya. The construction of this 14 acre campus commenced in 2013, and was inaugurated by Mufaddal Saifuddin and the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta on 20 April 2017.[33] [34]
Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi inaugurated the fourth campus in Marol, Mumbai on 10 February 2023.[35]
Saifuddin is the present and 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Tayyibi Isma'ili Dawoodi Bohra community, appointed by his predecessor and father, Mohammed Burhanuddin II.
On 18 Dhu al-Hijjah 1435 (12 October 2014 AD), Saifuddin elevated his uncle Husain Husamuddin to the rank of Mazoon al-Dawat and appointed his uncle Qasim Hakimuddin as Mukasir al-Dawat at a religious gathering held in Mumbai.
On 20 Rabi' al-Thani 1439H (7 January 2018 AD), Saifuddin elevated Qasim Hakimuddin to the rank of Mazoon and appointed his uncle Ali Asgar Kalimuddin as Mukasir at a religious gathering in Surat.[36]
On 27 Jumada al-Thani 1440H (4 March 2019 AD), Saifuddin elevated Aliasgar Kalimuddin to the rank of Mazoon and appointed his brother Qaidjoher Ezzuddin as Mukasir at a religious gathering in Ahmedabad.[37]
On 18 Dhu al-Hijjah 1445H (24 June 2024 AD), Saifuddin elevated his elder brother Qaidjoher Ezzuddin to the rank of Mazoon al-Dawat and appointed his younger brother Malik-ul Ashtar Shujauddin as Mukasir al-Dawat at a religious gathering held in Saifee Masjid, Mumbai. Both the brothers are Rectors of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah.
Saifuddin's father, Mohammed Burhanuddin, conceived the Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project, and a public charitable trust named the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust[38] was created on 23 January 2009 with an initial corpus provided by settlors Shahzada Qaidjoher Ezzuddin and Shahzada Abbas Fakhruddin.[39] The first phase was inaugurated by Saifuddin on 18 May 2016. "About 250 dilapidated buildings in Bhendi Bazaar will be replaced with 17 new towers with wide roads, modern infrastructure, more open spaces and highly visible commercial areas." This ambitious philanthropic enterprise "aims to rehabilitate 3200 families and 1250 businesses which are currently living in poor conditions."[40] [41] It is expected to reach completion by 2025.[42]
Saifuddin donated US$53,000 to Tanzanian public schools.[43] The same month, a local community led by Saifuddin donated TSh 545 million toward earthquake relief efforts in Tanzania.[44]
On 27 April 2017, Saifuddin donated KSh for Beyond Zero initiative towards maternal and child health to Margaret Kenyatta, First Lady of Kenya.[45] [46]
On 19 July 2018, Saifuddin met Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and expressed interest in investing in Egypt. Saifuddin also donated (US$621,553) to the Long Live Egypt Fund (Tahya Misr),[47] matching his own donation from 2014.
In September 2019, Saifuddin met with President Maithripala Sirisena of Sri Lanka and donated Rs 10 million/- (US$53,553) to National Kidney Fund of Sri Lanka to enhance facilities and improve welfare and preventive care for patients impacted by chronic kidney disease.[48] In the same month, Saifuddin made a "significant contribution" to the Relief Fund of Chief Minister of Maharashtra to aid with rehabilitation efforts post 2019 Indian floods.[49] In October 2019 Saifuddin donated Rs.5 million/- to National Cancer Institute, Maharagama towards infrastructure and capacity expansion of its Bone Marrow Transplant Unit.[50]
In October 2019, Saifuddin donated 60,000 seed balls to Kenya, and a month later, on the occasion of his 76th birthday per the Islamic calendar, he donated 76,000 more which were utilized to grow over 35,000 indigenous tree species at Amboseli National Park.[51]
In May 2021, Saifuddin donated 1 crore/- towards the purchase of medical equipment for the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital at Aligarh Muslim University during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.[52]
To ensure that not a single community member goes hungry, Saifuddin has actively expanded the worldwide community kitchen scheme,[53] [54] named Faiz al-Mawaid al-Burhaniyah[55] (Arabic:فيض الموائد البرهانية). Every day, a Tiffin or Thali consisting of a fully prepared and cooked meal is delivered to each Dawoodi Bohra community household free of cost.[56]
To reduce food wastage, Saifuddin introduced a regulation to strictly limit the number of dishes served in any community, social or personal gathering where Dawoodi Bohras are present. This was launched under the motto of ek kharaas, ek mithaas, no israaf (one savoury, one dessert and no wastage).[57] Approximately 7000 Dana Committee volunteers world-wide are tasked with eliminating food wastage at community dinners.[58]
In December 2016 Saifuddin initiated a social 'Upliftment Program' (Arabic: رفع مستوى معيشة مؤمنين|Rafo Mustawa Machate Mumineen|lit=Raise the standard of living of [[mumin]]een), to improve the living standards of his community members.[59] Over 4,100 volunteers from India, East Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East were spread out over 200 towns and cities.[60] The 5-day upliftment drive consisted of free renovation of houses, planting of trees and shrubs, upgrading sanitation of community properties and grounds, building playground and sports facilities, dental hygiene and vaccination camps, a sports day and a community breakfast on New Year's Day.[61]
He has also launched a global initiative named Project Rise to help improve the lives of people that are marginalized, neglected or living in poverty. In partnership with government bodies and local organizations around the world, Project Rise's upliftment programs span a range of policy areas, including healthcare, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene, environmental responsibility and conservation, and education. These initiatives provide humanitarian aid during natural disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic.[62]
Saifuddin, on his first visit to North America, established Saifee Burhani Medical Association (America),[63] on 14 March 2015,[64] chaired by his brothers, Qaidjoher Ezzuddin, Qusai Vajihuddin, Ammar Jamaluddin, and his son, Husain Burhanuddin.[65] The charter of the association is to run free medical clinics, mentor students, and facilitate professional development.[66]
Saifuddin travels extensively to various Dawoodi Bohra community centers year-round to meet his followers, deliver sermons, organise local communities, kickstart social projects, and commemorate important religious functions.[67] [68]
Surat, the erstwhile seat of Dawat and home to the original Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah campus, and Mumbai, the current seat of Dawat and home to Raudat Tahera, are host to most events. Karachi, owing to a large presence of followers outside India, sees more visits from Saifuddin than average. Colombo, Tanzania, and Kenya are other rather smaller community centers to which Saifuddin travels often.
Saifuddin visits centers in Yemen, Egypt, and Iraq for their religious and historical importance. Saifuddin also often travels to various places of pilgrimage within India like Taherabad in Rajasthan; Ahmedabad, Jamnagar, Mandvi, and Delmal in Gujarat; Burhanpur and Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh; especially to commemorate annual remembrance of the Duaat and Hudood Kiram buried there.
On 27 April 2022, Syedna, with President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El Sisi inaugurated Imam Al-Hussein Mosque in Cairo after renovation works to the mosque and the area surrounding it, including the new lounge of the holy shrine of Imam Al-Hussein.[69]
| Community Recognitions | |
|---|---|
| The Misaq of Mufaddal Saifuddin was taken by his grandfather Taher Saifuddin on the 27th of Zil al-Qa'da 1379H (22 May 1960), during the 75th birthday celebrations of Taher Saifuddin.[70] | |
| Mufaddal Saifudddin has memorized the entire Quran (known as a Haafiz al-Quran (Arabic: حافظ القران)). | |
| Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin conferred upon him the title of (Arabic: ثقة الدعوة الطيبية; Thiqat al-D'awat al-Tayyibiyah, meaning 'The Trusted of the Tayyibi Mission') and bestowed upon him the cognomen of "Saifuddin" (Arabic: سيف الدين, meaning 'Sword of Islam') on the 27th of Zil al-Qa'da 1385H (18 March 1966).[71] [72] | |
| Following his journey to Yemen, he was awarded the honorific title Aqeeq al-Yemen (Arabic: عقيق اليمنl translation: the agate of Yemen) on 12 Rabi' al-awwal 1391 AH (1971).[73] | |
| He was conferred one of the highest degrees of Al Jamea tus Saifiyah (Arabic: العليم البارع; al-'Aleem al-Baare', meaning 'The Outstandingly Learned') on 20th Rabi al-Akhar 1391H (14 June 1971).[74] | |
| He was appointed rector of Al Jamea tus Saifiyah (Arabic: امير الجامعة; Ameer al Jamea)[75] [76] on the 26th of Ramadan 1407H (24 April 1987). | |
| Mufaddal Saifuddin, was elected as Aligarh Muslim University's new Chancellor on 11 April 2015.[77] [78] [79] [80] He was re-elected as the Chancellor for a second term on 2 December 2018.[81] [82] | |
| He was unanimously elected the Chancellor (Amir-e-Jamia) of Jamia Millia Islamia University for a period of five years with effect from 14 March 2023.[83] | |
| On behalf of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, his son, Shahzada Husain Burhanuddin, attended the Global Faith Leaders COP28 Summit in Abu Dhabi and signed a joint appeal to take meaningful action in addressing the climate crisis.[84] [85] |
| Year & Date | Country | Award/Honour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 September 2015 |  Pakistan | Governor of Sindh Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan conferred an honorary doctorate degree upon by University of Karachi (KU) at Governor House.[86] [87] | |
| 2015 & 2018 |  India | Mufaddal Saifuddin, was elected as Aligarh Muslim University's new Chancellor on 11 April 2015. He was re-elected as the Chancellor for a second term on 2 December 2018. | |
| 2014 to 2020 |  Jordan | Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin was named one of The 500 Most Influential Muslims in the years 2014 to 2024.https://themuslim500.com/download/ | |
| 23 June 2014 |  Madagascar | He was awarded Grand Cordon of the National Order of Madagascar.[88] | |
| 29 August 2015 | During his visit to Moshi, Tanzania, Mufaddal Saifuddin was presented the "Key to Moshi - The Land of Kilimanjaro" by the Mayor Japhary R Michael on 29 August 2015.[89] | ||
| 20 April 2017 | Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart, Second Class by President Uhuru Kenyatta on the inauguration of the Al Jamea tus Saifiyah campus in Nairobi. | ||
| 30 September 2017 | Pakistan | Key to Karachi by the Mayor of Karachi, Waseem Akhtar.[90] | |
| 30 April 2018 |  Singapore | A new species of orchid was named as Dendrobium HH Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin.[91] | |
| 12 December 2022 | He was awarded Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (CGH) by President William Ruto. | ||
| 7 August 2023 | Awarded Grand Cordon of the Order of the Nile (Nile Sash Arabic: Wisha al-Neel وشاح النيل) by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.[93] | ||
| 5 December 2023 | Pakistan | President of Pakistan Arif Alvi conferred the Nishan e Pakistan on His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin in a special investiture ceremony in Aiwan e Sadr, Islamabad in recognition of the social services rendered by His Holiness for the development of Pakistan.[94] |
A list of Risalah composed by Mufaddal Saifuddin, or started by Taher Saifuddin and Mohammed Burhanuddin but completed by Mufaddal Saifuddin:
| ID | Title | title | AH | AH | CE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taher Saifuddin's Rasa'il | ||||||
| STS48 | شموس بركات الربانيين[95] | Shumūs Barakāt al-Rabbāniyyīn | 1383 | 1435 | 2015 | |
| STS49 | انهار فيوض الفاطميين[96] | Anhaar Fuyūz al-Fatimiyyeen | 1384 | 1436 | 2016 | |
| Mohammed Burhanuddin's Rasa'il | ||||||
| SMB07 | نشر الخير[97] | Nashr al-Khayr | 1391 | 1437 | 2016 | |
| SMB08 | ندى الفيوضات[98] | Nadā al-Fūyūdāt | 1392 | 1438 | 2017 | |
| SMB09 | سلسبيل روض القدس[99] | Salsabīl Rawd al-Quds | 1393 | 1439 | 2018 | |
| SMB10 | بركات دعاة الستر[100] | Barakāt Duāt al-Satr | 1394 | 1440 | 2019 | |
| Mufaddal Saifuddin's Rasa'il | ||||||
| SMS00 | حكمة الغيبة القدسانية الابدية[101] | Hikmat al-Ghaybat al-Qudsāniyyat al-Abadiyya | 1435 | 1436 | 2016 | |
| SMS01 | شكر نعم اصحاب البركات[102] | Shukr Ne'am As'hāb al-Barakāt | 1436 | 1437 | 2017 | |
| SMS02 | جامعة ثمرات العلوم[103] | Jāmiʿat Thamarāt al-ʿUlūm | 1437 | 1438 | 2018 | |
| SMS03 | فيوضات يمنية طيبة[104] | Fūyūdāt Yamaniyyat Taiyyeba | 1438 | 1439 | 2019 | |
| SMS04 | ملتقى سفينة البركات[105] | Multaqā Safīnat al-Barakāt | 1439 | 1440 | 2019 | |
| SMS05 | دفينة مفاخر ال النبي الطهر[106] | Dafīnat Mafākhir āl al-Nabi al-Tuhr | 1440 | 1441 | 2020 | |
| Matla | Language | Style | Occasion | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1435 ھ | |||||
| 1 | الم بدين الله ادهى الشدائد | Arabic | Elegy | ||
| 2 | اے الله نا داعي نبي نا پيارا | Lisan al-Dawat | Elegy | ||
| 3 | اناجيك رب العالمين مبسملا. | Arabic | Munajat | Laylat al-Qadr | |
| 4 | سلام على ال النبي الاكارم.[107] | Arabic | Qasida | Eid al-Fitr | |
| 1436 ھ | |||||
| 5 | عليك سلام الله و الصلوات[108] | Arabic | Elegy | Urs | |
| 6 | اناجيك ربي اليك التجائي | Arabic | Munajat | Laylat al-Qadr | |
| 7 | اتيت بابك كعبة القبل.[109] | Arabic | Qasida | Eid al-Fitr | |
| 8 | چلو اے پیارا عزیزو چلو | Lisan al-Dawat | Nasihat | Eid al-Adha | |
| 9 | علم الانسان مالم یعلم ايك اعزاز ہے | Urdu | Nazm | At Aligarh Muslim University | |
| 1437 ھ | |||||
| 10 | جئتك ربي تائبا عابدا. | Arabic | Munajat | Laylat al-Qadr | |
| 11 | يا بني الخمسة انتم وزري[110] | Arabic | Qasida | Eid al-Fitr | |
| 1438 ھ | |||||
| 12 | دعوت اله العالمين مناجيا. | Arabic | Munajat | Laylat al-Qadr | |
| 13 | يا طيب العصر طيب طوبى[111] | Arabic | Qasida | Eid al-Fitr | |
| 14 | روجو برادر حسين نے روجو | Lisan al-Dawat | Marsiya | Eid al-Adha | |
| 1439 ھ | |||||
| 15 | ا مالك يوم الدين اياك نعبد[112] | Arabic | Munajat | Laylat al-Qadr | |
| 16 | اھل بيت النبي خذوا بيدي[113] | Arabic | Qasida | Eid al-Fitr | |
| 17 | يا حسينا پر هميى قربان چهے قربان چهے[114] | Lisan al-Dawat | Marsiya | Eid al-Adha | |
| 1440 ھ | |||||
| 18 | يابن[115] الحسين يا امام العصر * بفضلك اقبل سجدات الشكر | Arabic | Qasida | Muharram(Thanking for Dream of Imam uz zaman) | |
| 19 | ايا رب اوزعني لاشكر دائبا | Arabic | Munajat | Laylat al-Qadr | |
| 20 | فديتك يا طيب العترة | Arabic | Qasida | Eid al-Fitr | |
| 1441 ھ | |||||
| 21 | اناجيك يا رازق العافية[116] | Arabic | Munajat | Laylat al-Qadr | |
| 22 | اهل بيت الوحي اهل الكرم | Arabic | Qasida | Eid al-Fitr | |
| 23 | ذكر الحسين خير زاد الذاكرين | Arabic | Marsiya | Eid al-Ghadeer | |
| 1442 ھ | |||||
| 24 | [117] دعوتك ذا الرحمة الواسعة | Arabic | Munajat | Laylat al-Qadr | |
| 25 | يا طيب الفاطميين بني فاطمة | Arabic | Qasida | Eid al-Fitr | |
| 1443 ھ | |||||
| 26 | ايا ربنا نبتغي الوسيلة | Arabic | Munajat | Laylat al-Qadr | |
| 27 | رجائي انتم ال النبي | Arabic | Qasida | Eid al-Fitr | |
| 1444 ھ | |||||
| 28 | فزت فوزا اذ انادي يا علي | Arabic | Qasida | Najaf trip | |
| 29 | اتاك الهي رجاك الهي | Arabic | Munajat | Laylat al-Qadr | |
| 30 | فاطمي عين الحيوة امامي | Arabic | Qasida | Eid al-Fitr | |
| 31 | حسيني دنو غم سي ايا | Arabic | Marasiya | Eid al-Adha | |
| 1445ھ | |||||
| 32 | دعوتك الرحم الرحماء فارحم | Arabic | Munajat | Laylat al-Qadr | |
| 33 | ال النبي ائمتي حبي لكم | Arabic | Qasida | Eid al-Fitr | |
| 34 | کربلاء میرے آقا سدهارے | Urdu | Marasiya | Eid al-Adha | |
Saifuddin is a lineal descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the Islamic prophet Ibrāhīm.[118]
Saifuddin is also a descendant of Fakhr al-Din Shaheed, Abd al-Qadir Hakimuddin, Khanji Pheer, and Syedi Lukman.
| City | Province | Country | Continent | Start | End | Attendees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1436 | Surat[119] | Gujarat | | Asia | 200,000 | |||
| 2015 | 1437 | Houston[120] | North America | 25,000 | |||||
| 2016 | 1438 | Dar es Salaam[121] | Dar es Salaam Region | Africa | 32,000[122] | ||||
| 2017 | 1439 | Karachi[123] | | Asia | 65,000 | ||||
| 2018 | 1440 | Indore[124] | | 210,000 | |||||
| 2019 | 1441 | Colombo[125] [126] |  | 28,000 | |||||
| 2020 | 1442 | Khandala[127] | | NA | |||||
| 2021 | 1443 | Nairobi[128] |  | ||||||
| 2022 | 1444 | London[129] | 12,500 | ||||||
| 2023 | 1445 | 75,000[130] | |||||||
| 2024 | 1446 | Karachi[131] | Sindh | | 8 July | 16 July | Estimated 81,000 |
See main article: article and Succession to 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq. The 52nd Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohras, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, died on 17 January 2014.[132] As per the tenets of the faith[133] each predecessor is required to nominate his successor during his lifetime.[134] [135] His death sparked a succession crisis[136] when his uncle Khuzaima Qutbuddin,[137] emerged as a claimant for the title of 53rd Dā'ī al-Mutlaq against Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin.
The challenge created a divide within the community,[138] with the majority aligning with Mufaddal Saifuddin[139] [140] and a smaller number aligning with Khuzaima Qutbuddin.[141] As a result, Mufaddal Saifuddin assumed control of the Dawoodi Bohra administration and community infrastructure. In March 2014, Qutbuddin filed civil suit 337/2014 in the Bombay High Court against Saifuddin in which he sought a declaration that he was validly appointed as the 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq.[142] [143] The UK Charity Commission had taken the view "that His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin is the current incumbent of the office of Dai al-Mutlaq."[144] After more than ten years of litigation, on 23 April 2024, the Bombay high court dismissed the suit challenging Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin's position as the 53rd Dai-al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra Community. The court dismissed Taher Fakhruddin's claim (son of the late Khuzaima Qutbuddin) and upheld Saifuddin as Dai-al-Mutlaq.[145]
