CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU: His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the 53rd leader of the global Dawoodi Bohra community, delivered the inaugural sermon of this year’s Ashara Mubaraka from Saifee Masjid on SMB Street. Syedna began the sermons by reflecting on his father, the late 52nd leader, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin’s visit to Chennai for Ashara Mubaraka 50 years ago. He underscored the deep connection his father had with the city and the community. Reflecting on the community’s historical journey, Syedna Saifuddin noted how many members originally migrated from Sidhpur to Chennai in search of better livelihoods.
As in previous years, this year’s sermons will revolve around a central theme, which will guide the spiritual reflections over the coming days. Syedna announced that he would use each of his sermons this year to explore the universe, the planetary orbits, its celestial bodies, and ultimately, on the final day, the planet earth. He drew parallels between the physical stars and planets and between key personalities from the history of Islam, who also, like the stars above, have had a lasting impact on the inhabitants of the earth, specifically upon adherents to the faith. Syedna stated that this cosmic theme would allow for a rich exploration of the harmony between faith and science, declaring that when viewed from the right perspective, both religion and science bolster and strengthen one another.
While explaining the cosmic forces that draw stars to one another and maintain celestial bodies in their orbits, Syedna underscored the immense power of love in bringing people together. He explained that ‘mahabbat’, love in Arabic, is a powerful force for good, especially when that love inspires people towards acts of charity and kindness. He praised the Dawoodi Bohra inhabitants of Chennai for their commitment to their fellow denizens of South India’s largest city, and for serving their brothers and sisters from all communities and faiths.
Syedna concluded the sermon by recounting the sacrifices made by the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, Imam Husain, and the tragic sequence of events that led to his martyrdom in Karbala. He explained how remembering this tragedy, year after year, empowers the community, increasing its empathy and rekindling its dedication to the universal values of love, harmony and humanity.
Approximately 43,000 Dawoodi Bohra community members have gathered in Chennai for the occasion. This includes 8,000 Bohra residents of Chennai and 35,000 guests who have travelled from across the world to participate.
The primary venue for the congregations is Saifee Masjid at SMB Street, with live telecasts extending to nine other centres across the city, including the Wings Convention Centre, YMCA Ground and Binny Ground. Beyond Chennai, community centres in Coimbatore, Erode and Salem in Tamil Nadu and other cities in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh, will also benefit from the live broadcast.
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin arrived in Chennai earlier this week, accepting an invitation from the local Dawoodi Bohra community for the Ashara Mubaraka congregations with senior Government officials also joining the community in extending the invitation. The event will continue with daily sermons until the 5th of July, which is the final day of the commemoration and is known as the Day of Aashura.
Ashara Mubaraka is a period from the 2nd to the 10th of Moharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, dedicated to remembering the Prophet Mohammed, his grandson Imam Husain, who, along with his family and companions, endured immense suffering at the Battle of Karbala. During this solemn and sacred period, community members around the world gather in masjids and centres each morning and evening. The themes explored in Ashara Mubaraka, drawn from the Holy Quran, Islamic history, and Fatimi philosophy, connect centuries of teachings and tradition with contemporary moral and social issues facing the community and humanity at large.
Under the guidance and leadership of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, these learning sessions are designed to reinvigorate the community’s faith as they navigate the complexities of modern life. The sermons inspire devotees to seek knowledge in the light of the Holy Quran and to strive to emulate the noble qualities of Prophet Mohammed and his family members.
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