Karachi’s Bohras attend broadcast of Syedna Muhammad Burhanuddin’s sermon

Women wear their Dai’s favourite red and mass weddings are arranged.

KARACHI:

An old and frail man with a snowy white beard all dressed in white appeared projected on an eight-foot wall to followers who were watching with rapt attention as they fervently prayed for his long life and health. On Wednesday, the sermon of his Holiness Dr Syedna Muhammad Burhanuddin (TUS) from Ujjain, India, was broadcast in mosques all around the world. The Dawoodi Bohras gathered to listen to a man who has seen a century pass and yet possesses the oratory skills to make hundreds of thousands across the globe weep.

The 52nd Dai of the Dawoodi Bohra community will turn one hundred years on 20th Rabiul Akhar as per the Bohra calendar. The centennial celebrations of the spiritual leader of the community mark an epoch in its history as Syedna Burhanuddin (TUS) has led his community for more years than any other Dai before him. Given the love that his followers have for him, it is an event which is a unique blessing for many to witness.

“We are very happy that in our lives we get to see our dai celeberate his hundredth birthday. It is our great fortune that fate has bestowed this blessing upon us,” said Zakia Abid, a devout 72-year old Bohra woman who offered all her prayers in the same mosque during Ramazan and after each namaz she would pray for her Dai’s long life.

Across the globe, all Dawoodi Bohras are united in celebrating this auspicious occasion. To join in the happiness of the centennial birthday celebrations, ceremonies of samoo lagan (mass Bohri weddings) are taking place all over the city. One such ceremony took place on March 6 in Hyderi where about 40 couples tied the knot.

“Samoo lagan denotes unity, a wedding is an occasion where everyone joins in to celebrate,” said Juzer, one of the bridegrooms. “The differences of wealth and rank become irrelevant as we celebrate at an individual, family and community level.” He said “I do” last Sunday.

Bohri brides usually do not limit themselves to wearing the traditional red at their weddding, opting instead for the entire spectrum. However, this time the theme for bridal clothes at the samoo lagan was red and white since red is Syedna Burhanuddin’s (TUS) favourite colour. Decked out in a red and white rida (a traditional bohri dress), each bride attended her nikkah ceremony in a colour that symbolised their love for the dai.

And the colour red is not limited to brides alone as other Bohri girls and women also favour shades of scarlet. “It is a source of happiness for me to wear my Dai’s favourite colour, especially this close to his 100th celebrations,” said Rashida Moiz, a 17-year old girl who recently had a red rida stitched.

The Burhani Centennial Trade Expo at the Karachi Expo Centre was held from January 28 to January 30 to felicitate Syedna Burhanuddin (TUS). Among the dignitaries who attended was Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani who inaugurated the exhibition. This was one among the several exhibitions held across the globe for the purpose of wishing Syedna Burhannuddin (TUS) a happy birthday.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2011.

Correction: March 10

Due to an editing error, the headline had stated the Bohra community as Bohri. The error has been corrected.