Syedna Muhammad Burhanuddin. PHOTO: FILE
He was an Arabic scholar, an environmentalist and a dynamic leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community that claims 100% literacy.
But Syedna Muhammad Burhanuddin, the spiritual leader of the community, is no more. He died of a heart attack in Mumbai on Friday at the age of 102.
His second son, Syedi Mufaddal Bhaisaheb, was proclaimed as his successor last year.
Hundreds of his followers started pouring in at the spiritual centre in Zampa Bazaar, Surat, Gujarat.
Meanwhile, those who could, packed and headed to Mumbai to grieve the death of their leader.
Yusuf Badri, the former secretary of Surat Dawoodi Bohra Samaj, who was on his way towards Mumbai said, “It’s a day of bereavement for the tens of thousands of Dawoodi Bohra community members in India and abroad as our spiritual leader is no more. I am on my way to Mumbai along with some of my community leaders and family for paying my last tributes.”
Born in Surat, he was educated by his illustrious father, the late Syedna Taher Saifuddin. The former personally trained the future leader. He succeeded his father in 1965 at age 53, heralding a new era for the Bohra community.
Among his major contributions, he supervised and supported the community’s literacy efforts through 400 educational institutions across the world to impart religious, spiritual and secular education.
Nurturing a deep interest in secular studies, the leader always stressed on scientific and religious education.
At the same time, he institutionalised the Islamic concept of interest-free loans, which heralded economic prosperity, enabling new entrepreneurs to venture into business, while remaining faithful to age-old Islamic business tenets. The Dawoodi Bohras are a largely business community.
On the social front, Muhammad Burhanuddin encouraged and institutionalised the tradition of mass marriages to curb wasteful expenditure on opulent weddings. In cities like Mumbai, he launched low finance housing schemes.
At a macro-level, he took direct interest in the redevelopment of old, dilapidated buildings housing over 4,000 Dawoodi Bohra families in south Mumbai.
Condolences pour in
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the demise of Muhammad Burhanuddin and prayed for his departed soul in his condolence remarks.
President Mamnoon Hussain, lauding his services to the people, also prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.
A beacon of light
Separately, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain called him a beacon of light and said the leader had spent his entire life preaching peace, brotherhood and dignity for mankind.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also condoled his death, saying that the leader’s appeal went beyond the community as his compassion and humanism inspired people of all faiths.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2014.
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In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious Ever Merciful From his bio-data and achievements and services it appears to me, he is really a great personality, with his death not only Dawoodi Buhrah community has lost their spiritual Head, but also it seems it is the lost of Islamic World at large. Innaa lillhe wa innaa elaihe rajiuoon. As an Ahmadi Muslim I condole from the core of my heart to the Dawoodi Buhra community and to the braved family and pray that Allah may have Merci on the Departed soul and further More Allah may Bless this community even with better replacement of him Aameen I expect that Dawoodi Buhra community will also play their roll to stop the persecution of minorities in the world, It may be Muslim minority in Burma, Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan and other Muslims countries, Christians in Pakistan as well as Hindus in Pakistan or any other minority in the world. Because persecution is the crime against humanity. Islam is the Religion the most secular in its approach. Zarif Ahmad.
RIP
Having highly regard and most respect for this greater sincere, devoted, dedicated, and pure religious personality who by mercy of god passed one century in this world but always kept before him the welfare, prosperity and best religious practical pure character of his community and also preach and work for brotherhood love and mutual kindness of whole mankind i pray from the core of my heart May all mighty and Merciful God bless this noble polite humble and highly respected personality in the internal paradise with his ever lasting mercy and always upgrade his status in the paradise of each passing moment ameen!
Saif ullah aghaInna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilaihe Rajeoon....
He was a great wise and a kind man. May Allah rest his soul in peace.
Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilaihe Rajeoon. Ameen. May the Dawoodi Bohra community bear the loss with fortitude. Salams
May Allah rest him in peace!!