I had been planning to write this article for a long time but now, in the wake of the demise of our Moula - Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin - it seems more appropriate and relevant.
This is my humble tribute to Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (RA) -
The most basic observations to judge a person's ethnicity (country/region of origin) are:-
1. Appearance - Outfit, features etc.
2. Name - usually surname and occasionally the first name
3. Behavior - likes and dislikes, eating habits, etc.
4. Language/Accent.
For example, in India, you can guess if a person belongs to South, North, East or West India by their Appearance, Name, Language spoken or Accent or their Behavioral patterns.
If we take a more global example we can judge a person's place of origin - whether they are African, Latin, Asian etc. based on the same observations.
The Dawoodi Bohra community, though much smaller in number has created an identity of it's own, that is to say, that our appearance, our names, our language/accent, our likes and dislikes and especially eating habits give us a unique place in the world.
You can easily identify an 'apnawala' as we call each other in a crowd of hundreds or sometimes even when we are given a list of names.
And not just amongst ourselves people around the globe who have some knowledge of Dawoodi Bohras or our Dai can identify another Dawoodi Bohra.
Our dress - beard and 'topi' for men and 'rida' for women - have become our symbol. We can proudly say that Dawoodi Bohra has become a nationality of it's own and we are Dawoodi Bohra citizens.
But this great change, this great miracle is the result of the continuous hard work and perseverance of one Man, one Angel - Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin!!
But why is this the Greatest Miracle? Why is this so important?
The answer to this is simple. Usually, we find it difficult, almost impossible, to change the heart of one individual to accept something they are not accustomed to, but Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin has changed the hearts of millions to accept this new way of life.
Today we do see professionals going to office with beard and 'topi' or 'rida'. While the rest of the world is trying to gel together, to be indistinguishable, to hide their beliefs behind a modern outlook and moving away from their roots in doing so. We are trying to stand out in the crowd. We accept modernity but with our roots firmly in place. We are projecting ourselves through our beliefs. The world is accepting us now and this change has not taken place over a short period of time, it has taken 50 years of undeterred effort to bring about this change and the reason for this change is Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin!
Moula has toiled and struggled so that we can go around the world with our identity in place, so that wherever we are our roots are firm.The world identifies Dawoodi Bohras as a peaceful group of people, they identify us through our Moula.
We saw a 'Sea of White' engulf South Mumbai to bid farewell to our Beloved Moula. These are the fruits being borne by the seeds that were planted by Him.
Let us then pledge that we will carry on these customs, we will announce ourselves to the world, we will walk on the path that our Moula has paved for us and not just paved, paved and adorned with flowers for us.
But we being mere mortals always require a guiding light, a helping hand to make us walk this path. And therefore, we request our 53rd Dai - Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin to always hold our hand and keep us firm in the path of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin.
May Allah ta'ala grant a long, healthy and prosperous life till the day of judgement to our Moula Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin (TUS).
- Huzefa Mala.
This is my humble tribute to Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (RA) -
The most basic observations to judge a person's ethnicity (country/region of origin) are:-
1. Appearance - Outfit, features etc.
2. Name - usually surname and occasionally the first name
3. Behavior - likes and dislikes, eating habits, etc.
4. Language/Accent.
For example, in India, you can guess if a person belongs to South, North, East or West India by their Appearance, Name, Language spoken or Accent or their Behavioral patterns.
If we take a more global example we can judge a person's place of origin - whether they are African, Latin, Asian etc. based on the same observations.
The Dawoodi Bohra community, though much smaller in number has created an identity of it's own, that is to say, that our appearance, our names, our language/accent, our likes and dislikes and especially eating habits give us a unique place in the world.
You can easily identify an 'apnawala' as we call each other in a crowd of hundreds or sometimes even when we are given a list of names.
And not just amongst ourselves people around the globe who have some knowledge of Dawoodi Bohras or our Dai can identify another Dawoodi Bohra.
Our dress - beard and 'topi' for men and 'rida' for women - have become our symbol. We can proudly say that Dawoodi Bohra has become a nationality of it's own and we are Dawoodi Bohra citizens.
But this great change, this great miracle is the result of the continuous hard work and perseverance of one Man, one Angel - Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin!!
But why is this the Greatest Miracle? Why is this so important?
The answer to this is simple. Usually, we find it difficult, almost impossible, to change the heart of one individual to accept something they are not accustomed to, but Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin has changed the hearts of millions to accept this new way of life.
Today we do see professionals going to office with beard and 'topi' or 'rida'. While the rest of the world is trying to gel together, to be indistinguishable, to hide their beliefs behind a modern outlook and moving away from their roots in doing so. We are trying to stand out in the crowd. We accept modernity but with our roots firmly in place. We are projecting ourselves through our beliefs. The world is accepting us now and this change has not taken place over a short period of time, it has taken 50 years of undeterred effort to bring about this change and the reason for this change is Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin!
Moula has toiled and struggled so that we can go around the world with our identity in place, so that wherever we are our roots are firm.The world identifies Dawoodi Bohras as a peaceful group of people, they identify us through our Moula.
We saw a 'Sea of White' engulf South Mumbai to bid farewell to our Beloved Moula. These are the fruits being borne by the seeds that were planted by Him.
Let us then pledge that we will carry on these customs, we will announce ourselves to the world, we will walk on the path that our Moula has paved for us and not just paved, paved and adorned with flowers for us.
But we being mere mortals always require a guiding light, a helping hand to make us walk this path. And therefore, we request our 53rd Dai - Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin to always hold our hand and keep us firm in the path of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin.
May Allah ta'ala grant a long, healthy and prosperous life till the day of judgement to our Moula Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin (TUS).
- Huzefa Mala.
