Dawoodi Bohra head conducts Moharram discourses at 99
By IANSTuesday, December 14, 2010
MUMBAI - Setting a record of sorts at 99 years, the spiritual head of the Dawoodi Bohra community Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin is conducting the annual Moharram discourses in Mumbai for the second consecutive year, an aide said here Tuesday.
This year, around 200,000 Dawoodi Bohras have gathered from all over the world and different parts of India for the momentous occasion, which started Dec 8 and will end Thursday.
The live Ashara Mubaraka discourse by the Syedna is being held at the historic Saifee Mosque in the congested Bhendi Bazaar area of south Mumbai. Dawoodi Bohras are Shias who will observe Moharram Thursday. Their headquarters are in Mumbai.
A sea of humanity weeps in unison as the Syedna narrates the story of the tragic martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, that took place in Karbala in present day Iraq.
The Syedna also highlights Imam Hussain’s sacrifice for the cause of Islam and humanity, and explains its relevance in the modern world.
At the same time, Syedna conveys the universal message of international peace, social justice and harmony among the people of the world.
The Syedna’s discourses are being telecast live to 700 mosques and centres all over the world.
In Mumbai, there are 520 large TV sets, 100 large projector screens and 48 relay centres to bring his discourse live to the city’s 300,000-strong Dawoodi Bohra population.
The Dawoodi Bohra’s International Ashara Mubaraka Committee has made elaborate arrangements for the lodging and boarding of the 100,000-plus visitors who have arrived here from different parts of the world.
Besides online registration facilities, the committee has organised transportation, accommodation and food arrangements all over Mumbai, and also kept medical and emergency services on standby.
The Syedna has also conducted similar discourses in Cairo, Dubai, Houston, Colombo, Nairobi, Dar-Es-Salaam, plus Indore, Surat, Jamnagar and Mumbai. Last year (2009) the congregation was held in Marol, northwest Mumbai.
