The Dedicated Benevolence of Dawoodi Bohras
Ahmar Bubere | IGT
The Dawoodi Bohras, a Shia sub-sect of traders hailing predominantly from Gujarat, are a business community reputed for their incredibly close-knit social structure and progressive way of life. The Dawoodi Bohra population in India is estimated to be around 500,000, with an equal number of diasporic members settled in various parts of the world. The foundation of this community is based on peace, love and humanity. The present leader is the 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. Syedna Saifuddin assumed office in January 2014, succeeding his father and predecessor, the 52nd al-Dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin. Cultivating a common ground of tolerance and non-interference in matters of other communities, have helped this community lay the foundations for their successful integration wherever they inhabit. This healthy mutual understanding has led to the betterment of the community and endeared them worldwide.
The community, now spread over continents have always maintained cordial relations with the succession of national and world leaders. The strong sense of civic identity, irrespective of whether they live in London, Hyderabad or Dubai have helped them adapt to local circumstances, learn new languages, new cultures and new ways of doing business while still remaining loyal to their religious teachings. Sadanand Shenoy, the owner of Guru Kripa stores in Chembur maintains that ‘it is very tension free to conduct business with members of the community as they are very honest and reliable”
The Dawoodi Bohra’s identifying moniker as a community can be the fact that they embrace the current world view while holding firmly to their roots, a balance utmost needed. Apart from being successful entrepreneurs they have made their mark in the field of education, medicine, research, social philanthropy etc. The Dawoodi Bohra community has been instrumental in kick starting various initiatives all over the world. Project Rise is a philanthropic endeavor initiated by the Dawoodi Bohra community being implemented wherever the community resides across the world. The project strives to foster a culture of empathy, awareness and generosity such that no individual is neglected, overlooked or marginalised. From environment conservation to community kitchens, free health care checkups to installing hand pumps and providing potable drinking water, the community under the guidance of its spiritual leaders has always been a beacon of light to others. From environmental activism, to social work to roping in community members to help with portion control and distributed unused food to the disadvantaged, “upliftment” drives through which volunteers attempt to raise the standard of living of the elderly and the disadvantaged through revamped housing, access to food, and improved physical and spiritual well-being the community has actively endeared themselves to which ever place they settle in.
The Covid pandemic greatly affected everyone around the world. The community too was adversely affected, but in keeping with the spirit of their religion chose this time to reinvent and reinforce their value systems. Volunteers from the Bohra community’s FMB community kitchen provided cooked meals and dry rations to the needy, hospitals affiliated to the community offered free ambulance services to transport the sick. Selfless doctors kept their clinics open throughout the pandemic, even offering medical services via calls, The Dawoodi Bohra community in Telangana distributed essential medical equipment to rural hospitals to augment Covid-19 care infrastructure in Mahabubabad and Eturunagaram. The medical equipment included semi-fowler beds, pulse oximeters and foetal monitors funded by the Dawoodi Bohra community’s global philanthropic initiative, Project Rise.
The Dawoodi Bohra community in Kolkata converted the Hydari and Rehmatbai Maternity and Nursing Home into a Covid care centre. In keeping with government guidelines and instructions on social distancing due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Dawoodi Bohra communities all over the world observed Ramadan and Ashara Mubaraka at home with their families by following prayers and sermons online. The community members in Nagpur observed Ashara Mubaraka following the local guidelines in which maximum 50 people was allowed, a total of 70 centres were created where each centre accommodated 50 community members to attend the Ashara sermons. Community members in Dubai initiated a Covid compliance and awareness campaign to support Dawoodi Bohra owned businesses by conducting visits to their premises. Shop owners were provided with quick observations and assessments on Covid-19 compliance and adherence.
The community in Sri Lanka initiated a 14-day food relief program under the banner of Project Rise by serving food to hundreds of people in Colombo and Jaffna districts, experiencing acute food shortages due to the pandemic as well as various other economic factors. Innumerable such instances make the members of this community a neighbor who is always welcomed with open arms, wherever they chose to go.
As a worldwide diasporic community the Dawoodi Bohras have carved a unique place in society with their hard work, commitment to social activities, maintaining neutrality and cordial behavior with those around. The religious discourses of their leaders have acted as a constant reminder to them to move forward but not leave behind what makes them unique, the ability to dissolve like sugar in milk or water effortlessly and add ‘mithas’ to the lives of those around them.
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