The Dawoodi Bohras are a Muslim community living in over 40 countries across the world. Bohras are predominantly well-educated businesspeople and qualified professionals across various fields and sectors.
The Bohras believe in one deity, Allah; in the Holy Quran as the word of Allah and in the sacred mission of the prophets and their successors. They follow the tenets of Islam and adhere to prescribed religious practices including reciting the Quran, the five daily prayers and fasting during the month of Ramadan.
Bohras adhere to the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed and trace their heritage to the Fatimi imams who were the direct descendants of the Prophet through his daughter Fatima. The Fatimi imams ruled over large parts of North Africa during the 10th to 12th centuries, bringing about an unparalleled efflorescence of learning, art and architecture.


Today, the Bohras are unified by the teachings of their leader, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq, who assumed office in January 2014. He follows in the footsteps of his father and predecessor, the 52nd al-Dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, who was renowned worldwide as an ambassador of peace and goodwill.
His Holiness, whose teachings guide the community, encourages compassion and kindness to all, along with loyalty and devotion to one’s faith and country.
Fraternity
Dawoodi Bohras around the globe firmly adhere to the values of fraternity, peace and humanity.
These values are derived from a prophetic tradition which states, ‘All creation is a family dependent on Allah. The most beloved of all creation to Him is the one who benefits His family the most’.
Bohras are thus active advocates of goodwill and philanthropy and seek to help and uplift the less fortunate through various philanthropic endeavours.
His Holiness counsels them to be loyal and law-abiding citizens and encourages them to contribute to their country’s growth, development and prosperity. He also encourages them to acquire excellence in all fields of human activity through hard work, sincerity and dignity.
These attributes have helped Bohras, in spite of their relatively small numbers, to carve out a distinct identity for themselves wherever they have settled throughout the world.

Education
Dawoodi Bohras strongly believe in the importance of education for all in light of the prophetic tradition which states: ‘Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman.’
His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, like his predecessors, has always encouraged community members to prioritise the acquisition of knowledge. Education, he emphasizes, is one of the most important obligations upon humankind and no matter the effort expended in its pursuit, it can never be considered sufficient.
Dawoodi Bohras have travelled far and wide in pursuit of higher education with a sizable diaspora emigrating to countries such as the USA, the UK and Australia, where they look to secure better prospects for themselves and also contribute to their local communities.
Environmental Responsibility
Protecting the environment is a pressing concern in the 21st century. The United Nations has called on the global community to act on crucial environmental issues both individually and collectively.
The global Dawoodi Bohra community is aligned with this cause and works towards sustainable consumption and environmental conservation. Under the banner of Project Rise—the community’s global philanthropic initiative—community members around the world are participating in the ‘Turning the Tide’ campaign aimed at creating widespread awareness about the perils of single-use plastics and ridding water bodies and beaches of plastic pollution.

Women’s Empowerment
Dawoodi Bohra women are highly educated and valuable members of society. Bohra women pursue various fields of education and manage to balance the aspirations of modern life without forsaking traditional values that they hold dear. They are both effective homemakers as well as thriving entrepreneurs and career women.
In addition to playing vital roles in all community initiatives, Bohra women engage in a range of standalone programs tailored specifically for the furtherance of female empowerment in causes which translate into holistic growth and development for the entire community as well as society at large.
Patriotism
Love for one’s country of abode is mandated by the Prophet Mohammed as an integral element of the Islamic faith. His Holiness counsels community members to always remain loyal to their home countries and to respect and cooperate with their fellow citizens in all spheres.
