Background
The Dawoodi Bohras are a sub-sect of Isma’ili Shia Islam. The word “Bohra” is derived from the Gujarati word “vehvar”, or “trade”, in reference to the community’s traditional profession. The spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community is the Dai al Mutlaq, currently His Holiness Dr. Syedna Aali Qadr Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS.
The current seat of Dai has remained in Mumbai, India for over a century after transferring from various Indian cities including Ahmedabad, Jamnagar, Burhanpur, and Surat over the last 500 years. Before then, it lay in the mountain fortresses and cities of Yemen from the 12th century to the 16th century, where it originated during the glorious years of the Fatimid Empire which was centered in Egypt and spanned much of North Africa and the Arab world from 900 AD to 1200 AD.
Because of its roots, the Dawoodi Bohra culture is a unique one that harks back to many others, including Yemeni, Egyptian, African, and Indian. They have their own language called Lisan ud Dawat, derived from Arabic, Gujarati, Urdu, and Farsi.
The Dawoodi Bohra community, under the leadership of His Holiness TUS, is well-known globally for their various philanthropic efforts such as the renovation of various heritage sites around the continent, including the Fatimid-era
Masjids of Cairo; international environmental campaigns; and the founding of numerous schools and hospitals globally. They are also famous for various initiatives undertaken with the purpose of uplifting and boosting the prosperity of all members of the sect. These include the highly-successful establishment of systems for Qardan Hasana (interest-free loans), community kitchens, trade fares, business seminars, and mass marriages. Recently, entire communities have been planned or revamped to uplift members of the community. The most renowned project is the major redevelopment of Bhendi Bazaar in Mumbai, currently being undertaken by the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT).
Thus, the Dawoodi Bohras are a tight-knit, peace-loving, educated community made up of approximately one million members worldwide, with the majority residing in India. There is also a significant diaspora population in South Asia, the Far East, East Africa, North America, and Europe.
Karachi serves as one of the largest settlements of Bohras worldwide with over 40,000 members in the city alone. Their homes are spread throughout the mainstream areas of Karachi almost always clustered in “mohallahs” which are formed around Dawoodi Bohra Masjids. There are currently 18 Bohra mohallahs in Karachi which spread across the city from North Nazimabad in the North to DHA in the South; from Adam Masjid in the West to Model Colony in the East.
Under the guidance and direct efforts of His Holiness Dr. Syedna Saifuddin TUS and his predecessor Dr. Syedna Burhanuddin RA, the Bohra community at large and that of Karachi has kept in step with (or ahead of) modern times in all practical aspects of life. They are broadly educated and generally business-minded (a mindset encouraged by His Holiness TUS), with many of them owning businesses in various industries. With universal literacy, they boast many highly educated professionals, including doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, and accountants. Many also hold jobs at different levels of employment. Thus, they come from all walks of life with diverse income levels but are bound together by their faith and culture.