His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS, the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq and head of the Dawoodi Bohra community, arrived in Indore on Thursday to conduct Ashara Mubaraka sermons in the city.
He was received by government officials, dignitaries and members of the community. Accompanied by a government security protocol, His Holiness TUS arrived by car at Sanghi Ground ManikBagh Road where thousands of Dawoodi Bohras accorded him a warm welcome.
Syedna addressed the audience briefly and thanked the Madhya Pradesh government for inviting him as State Guest to Indore.
He also acknowledged the warm welcome and the arrangements made for his visit.
During his stay in the city to conduct the Ashara sermons, Syedna will also inaugurate three mosques in the city.
He is also slated to interact with local community members and look into their affairs. Senior government officials of the State and leaders of other faith communities are also expected to meet with Syedna and discuss topics pertaining to the betterment of the city and society at large.
Ashara Mubaraka refers to a period of ten days at the beginning of the Islamic year dedicated to the remembrance of the Prophet Mohammed SAW and his Ahle Bayt AS (family and kin), specifically his grandson Imam Husain AS. The tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is known as Ashura and marks the day on which Imam Husain AS was martyred along with his family members and companions.
This year the event will run through.
Although Dawoodi Bohra centres across the world will host this event locally for members in their cities, the gathering led by His Holiness, which varies from city to city each year, will attract thousands of community members.
In Indore this year, over 1.7 lakh individuals from over 40 different countries have already registered to attend.
Hotels near Indore’s commercial centre where the Bohra community’s central Saifee Masjid is located, are completely booked.