About Us

History of the Dawoodi Bohra Community

The Dawoodi Bohras are a Muslim community originating from western India with a global presence of more than one million people across 40 countries. Over the decades, Dawoodi Bohras have established communities in South Asia, the Middle East, East Africa, Europe, North America, and here in Australia and New Zealand.

History

Dawoodi Bohras first arrived in Australia in the 1950s, beginning with students who came here for university. By the early 2000s, Australia and New Zealand were welcoming a growing number of students, professionals, and families who chose the region for its educational opportunities, quality of life, and multicultural environment. The community gradually expanded as people put down roots and built their futures here.

Today, more than 900 Dawoodi Bohra families live across seven cities in Australia and New Zealand. Guided by the values of hard work, compassion, and service—principles at the heart of our faith—we strive to contribute to the societies we call home and to live with integrity, purpose, and neighbourly care.

Dawoodi Bohra Faith: Our Beliefs and Tradition

Dawoodi Bohra Faith: Our Beliefs and Traditions

The Dawoodi Bohra faith is based on peace, compassion, and humanity. As Muslims, we follow the Fatimi Ismaili Tayyibi school of thought — belief in one deity, Allah, in the Holy Quran as His word, and in the sacred mission of the Prophets and their successors.

Dawoodi Bohra practices and traditions are guided by Islamic principles, including reciting the Quran, performing the five daily prayers, and fasting during the month of Ramadan.

Guided by the teachings of our leader, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq, Dawoodi Bohras strive to be exemplary citizens wherever we live and extend compassion and kindness to all.

About Us

Education as a Cornerstone

Education is at the heart of Dawoodi Bohra way of life, in light of the Prophet Mohammed’s teaching, ‘Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman.’

His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, following the legacy of his predecessors, has always encouraged community members to prioritise the acquisition of knowledge.

For many Dawoodi Bohras, the pursuit of quality education has been a key reason for choosing to build their lives in Australia and New Zealand. The region’s world-class institutions, diverse learning environments, and strong emphasis on opportunity have made it a natural home for families seeking both academic and personal growth. Today, Bohras across Australia and New Zealand contribute their skills across a wide range of fields, helping to strengthen and enrich the communities in which they live.

Knowledge is regarded as a lifelong journey, and each opportunity to learn is a means of personal development and collective progress.

Culture

Dress

Dawoodi Bohras are known for their distinct attire, known asLibas al Anwar. Men wearing a predominantly white three-piece outfit along with a cap decorated with golden designs, known as a topi. Women of the faith wear a two-piece dress called a rida, distinct from other forms of hijab by its bright colours, patterns, and lace.

Culture

Dress

Cuisine

Food is an important part of Dawoodi Bohra culture, and many dishes are closely associated with celebrations and special occasions. A defining feature of our culinary tradition is communal eating: eight people sit together around a thaal—a large metal plate—and share a meal as a sign of unity and togetherness.

In Australia and New Zealand, Bohras regularly invite neighbours, colleagues, and friends to join them at the thaal, creating space for cultural exchange, mutual respect, and friendship.

Roti, a hand-rolled wheat flatbread, is a staple of Bohra meals and a symbol of care and hospitality. Preparing rotis is a shared labour of love, with women, men, and children taking part.

Cuisine

Values

Leading A Life Of Harmony

Our faith places strong emphasis on service, kindness, and responsibility to the communities in which we live. Dawoodi Bohras believe in building meaningful relationships with our neighbours and contributing positively to the broader society.

The Dawoodi Bohra community iIn Australia and New Zealand, our communities have a long-standing commitment to promoting harmony in our respective communities. whether through hosting our neighbours for events, reaching out to the vulnerable, or participating in interfaith gatherings.

Leading A Life Of Harmony

Women Making an Impact

The legacy of exemplary female role models such as Moulatuna Fatima, daughter of the Prophet Mohammed, and Sayyida al-Hurra al-Malika, Queen of Yemen, endure today in the rich tapestry of the Dawoodi Bohra community, which honours the integral role and significance of women.

Encouraged from childhood to pursue educational opportunities, Dawoodi Bohra women are highly educated and active members of society. They lead successful, purposeful lives, both as effective homemakers, and as thriving entrepreneurs or career women.

Here in Australia and New Zealand, Bohra women engage in diverse careers, spanning the fields of architecture, healthcare, education, and business. In line with the Bohra tradition of entrepreneurship, many women have started their own businesses, from baking, designing to creating perfumes.

Environmental Responsibility

The earth and its resources are among the almighty’s bounties, and safeguarding them for future generations is a sacred responsibility for every individual.

Here in Australia and New Zealand, Bohra communities are involved in tree-planting, park and reserve clean ups, reducing single-use plastics, and composting in order to ensure a cleaner and brighter future for all. Many of these activities are undertaken under the banner of Project Rise, the Dawoodi Bohra community’s global philanthropic initiative, working towards sustainable consumption and environmental protection. Children and youth are included in these activities, to foster conscious living from a young age.