Culture
For Dawoodi Bohras, religion and culture are essentially one and the same. The roots of their rich religious and cultural heritage stem from the teachings of Rasulullah SAW and Amirulmumineen Ali Ibn Abitalib SA. It can be said that the formalization of the culture started as far back as the rule of the Fatimid dynasty in Egypt. The glorious empire was governed by the Fatimid code of conduct, religious tolerance, and patronage of learning that gave rise to a preeminent culture which was rooted in religion. These social, cultural, and religious constructs developed further and evolved in Yemen and India and are exercised today by the Dawoodi Bohra community under the guidance of His Holiness Dr. Syedna Aali Qadr Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS. For Dawoodi Bohras today, there continues to be a rigorous Islamic-centered approach in all aspects of life.
This lifestyle has manifested itself, to various degrees, in the environs of Dawoodi Bohras the world over. Philosophically, as well as practically, the Dawoodi Bohra mohallah is a micro-community establishment defined by a complex of four sacred spaces:
1. The Masjid – Almost every major turning point in a Bohra’s life traditionally takes place in the masjid; be it the ceremony of his initiation into the faith, his wedding, or his death prayer. Furthermore, the masjid is ideally a central part of his everyday life. Here, he observes prayers at dawn, at midday, and at sunset. He attends religious functions and ceremonies on a regular basis.
2. The Manzil – The residence serves as the primary site for the upbringing and enculturation of children. It is where a Dawoodi Bohra sojourns, prays and interacts with family.
3. The Madrasah – As a modern center for learning, this highly organized academic institution fosters the teachings of the history of Dawat, writing and reading Arabic, the attainment of prayer, and the memorization of the Holy Quran. It instills knowledge, values, and tradition in children who attend classes for a few hours every afternoon. Adults may also attend sessions of intellectual discourse here once or twice a week.
4. The Mujtama – The public realm and social spaces of the Dawoodi Bohra are especially important to uphold a Bohra’s sense of community. They consist of primarily the jamaat khana, a large hall adjacent to the masjid where social gatherings are held with food including weddings, celebrations, and ceremonies; sports and recreational facilities; and parks and open spaces where one can relax and spend quality time with friends and family.
NOTE: The layout and organization of all these spaces and their interaction with one another, not only in terms of aesthetics or symbolism but in terms of functionality and utility, should support and enhance the dynamics of modern urban life specific to the Dawoodi Bohra people. Success or failure in this regard will determine the overall success of the design of this project.
Inspiration can be derived from researching numerous sources including those listed in the ‘References’ appendix.
