Around 80,000 Dawoodi Bohras attend Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin's sermon on lifelong learning & education

MUMBAI: The narrow lanes and alleys of Zampa Bazaar in Surat are brimming with joy as around 80,000 Dawoodi Bohras from all over the world gathered there to celebrate the birthday of the 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq and leader of the community, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, on October 22.
After the demise of his father and 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, Syedna Saifuddin desired and declared that he would celebrate his own birthday on the day of his father’s birthday as a lasting tribute to the departed soul. This year is Syedna Burhanuddin’s 114th birth anniversary and 81st birthday of Syedna Saifuddin.
On his birthday, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin delivered a sermon at Surat's Masjid al-Moazzam. During his sermon, Syedna Saifuddin emphasised the importance of knowledge and the pursuit of lifelong learning.
Giving instances and analogies, he urged the community to remain steadfast in their pursuit of learning, regardless of the obstacles they may face.
The Syedna also highlighted that the quest for knowledge knows no bounds, encouraging individuals to seize opportunities for education at every stage in life.
To celebrate the Syedna's birthday, Dawoodi Bohras dressed in their best attire, participated in a celebratory procession at Zampa Bazar. Here the community has resided for centuries.
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin observed the thematic procession from a stage built on the Devdi Mubarak, a lane of historical significance for the community where Syedna’s ancestral residence and the community’s centuries-old Aljamea tus Saifiyah Arabic Academy are located.
The occasion of Syedna’s birthday coincides with the culmination of the annual educational seminar known as ‘Istifada Ilmiyyah’.
Spanning over two weeks and multiple phases, these educational sessions were attended in Surat by thousands of Dawoodi Bohra members from diverse professions and geographies.
Community members are ecstatic at participating in the birthday celebrations of the spiritual leader.
Farida Shakir, 40, a teacher from Santacruz, Mumbai, said: “There is no better way to remember and celebrate the birth anniversary of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin than by immersing ourselves in attaining education and knowledge which he strongly advocated. These educational sessions provide us with the opportunity to learn, grow and embrace the values he taught us all his life.”
Many were deeply moved by the Syedna's speech. "I felt deeply inspired when Syedna emphasised maintaining work-life balance and giving equal time and attention to family & health, performing religious duties and enquiring about the well-being of society”, said Habil Kaderbay, an account consultant from Tananarive in Madagascar.