Mumbai, Nov 13 (IANS) Nearly 200,000 Dawoodi Bohras from all over the world attended the 10-day Moharram observance which culminated here Wednesday as Ashura, under the guidance of their 102-year-old spiritual head Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin.
The solemn occasion of Ashura symbolises the tragic martyrdom of Imam Husain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed. The events leading to the martyrdom were the subject of the discourses during the past nine days.
The Syedna, and his heir apparent, Syedia Mufaddal Bhaisaheb Saifuddin, recounted with fervour Imam Husain’s sacrifices for the cause of Islam and remembered his contributions to humanity.
Syedia Mufaddal Bhaisaheb Saifuddin (70) delivered the discourses under the directions of the Syedna at the Saifee Masjid in south Mumbai.
Over the past 10 days, besides the discourses, they spoke of Islamic principles, family values, women’s empowerment and patriotism, and reiterated the universal message of social justice, peace and international harmony. The gathering also prayed for the progress and prosperity of India and people across the world.
The Syedna and his heir apparent called upon the community to protect the environment by making neighbourhoods green.
They announced that the community’s showpiece project, the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust’s mega-redevelopment project, is making good progress and would rehabilitate thousands of families within three to four years.
This year’s discourses were attended by Dawoodi Bohra community members from the US, the UK, Europe, South Asia, Far East, Arabian Gulf, East Africa and Australia, besides all over India.
Elaborate arrangements for lodging, boarding, transportation, medical and other requirements of the visitors were made and 300 television sets and giant screens were installed to relay the discourses live in south Mumbai and at 60 other locations across the city.
For the benefit of the global community members, the discourses were relayed live via internet to over 650 community centres.
Over the past few decades, the Syedna’s Moharram discourses have been held in Houston, Dubai, Cairo, Colombo, Dubai, Karachi, Nairobi, Dar-es-Salaam and many other international and Indian centres, including Surat in Gujarat last year, an official spokesperson said.