Thaindian News

Mumbai, April 24 (IANS) Over 50,000 Dawoodi Bohras from all over the world have converged here to celebrate the 97th birthday of their spiritual head, His Holiness Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, Friday. The celebrations, including several social, religious and spiritual events, started 40 days ago to culminate in the Syedna’s birthday.

To mark the occasion, the Syedna will visit Raudat Tahera, the imposing mausoleum of his father, Syedna Taher Saifuddin, in south Mumbai and will offer floral tributes.

Later, the Syedna will deliver a discourse, and pray for national harmony and universal peace. The discourse will be telecast live to the 1.2 million community members scattered around the world.

During the past 40 days, the community through 700 associations has been engaged in a variety of activities to enhance their social, academic and economic stature. These included medical camps on cancer, seminars on women’s empowerment and child development, launching low cost housing schemes, mass marriages, trade fairs and business seminars, according to a statement from his office Thursday.

Dawoodi Bohras of the Shia sect have made a mark in various spheres of life in India and abroad. Prominent personalities from the community include the former chief justice of India A.M. Ahmadi, well-known Gujarat-based neurosurgeon Bashir Ahmadi, the Wockhardt Group owner F.T. Khorakhiwala, several Bollywood and television actors like Nafisa Ali, Hussain Kuwajerwala, the director duo Abbas-Mustan Burmawala and the late ornithologist Salim Ali.

The Syedna’s followers have arrived here from places like Britain, the US, Pakistan, Australia, Persian Gulf and Africa to take part in the celebrations.