Mufaddal Saifuddin

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Summichum (talk | contribs) at 12:09, 17 December 2015 (important info removed by a person with conflict of interest. Succession controversy is the reason for his entry in wiki and hence sufficient intro needs to be given on this issue.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Mufaddal Saifuddin
Claimant to the title of 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq
of the Dawoodi Bohra community
[1][2]
Saifuddin during a visit to Udaipur as Rajasthan, India, state guest
Born (1946-08-20) 20 August 1946 (age 77)
ChildrenJafar us Sadiq Imaduddin (b. 1973), Taha Najmuddin, Husain Burhanuddin
ParentMohammed Burhanuddin
RelativesKhuzaima (half-uncle)

Mufaddal Saifuddin (Arabic: مفضل سيف الدين; Abu Jafar-us-Sadiq Mufaddal Saifuddin) is a claimant[1][2] to the title of 53rd Dā'ī al-Mutlaq (highest spiritual authority) of the Dawoodi Bohra.[2] The Dawoodi Bohra are a sub group within the Mustaali, Ismaili Shia branch of Islam. He is currently the Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. [3][4]

Biography

Early life

Mufaddal Saifuddin was born on 20 August 1946, on the night of Laylat al-Qadr[5] in Surat, Gujarat,[6] and was given the name Aali Qadr Mufaddal (Arabic:عالي قدر مفضل) by his grandfather Syedna Taher Saifuddin.[7] He was named the Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University on April 11 2015.[8][9]

Travel

Mufaddal Saifuddin was appointed Amirul Hajj by his father Burhanuddin in 1390 AH (1970 CE). After Hajj, he travelled to Karbala, Shaam, Misr and Yemen. During his trip to Yemen, he laid the foundations for the construction of the 3rd Da'i al-Mutlaq's Syedna Hatim's mausoleum. After that journey Burhanuddin bestowed upon him the religious honorific title Aqeeq-ul-Yemen in 1391 AH/1971 AD.[7]

On 28 Rabi' al-thani 1435 AH (28 February 2014 CE), the Indian foreign minister Salman Khurshid accompanied Saifuddin to Mumbai airport to see him off for his first visit abroad after the passing of his father Burhanuddin in January of that year. Khurshid presented Mufaddal with a letter of good wishes from Sonia Gandhi, the president of the Indian Congress, before departed to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq for a pilgrimage to the shrines of Imam Ali and Imam Husain.[10]

Later on, in Pakistan, he was received with state protocol and was welcomed at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.[11]

The main message that Saifuddin hopes to instill on the community is that of loyalty to wherever people live, to follow the rules and be a good citizen, live in peace and make an honest living.[12]

Recognition

Governor of Sindh Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan conferred doctorate degree upon Dr Mufaddal Saifuddin in a convention organized by University of Karachi (KU) at Governor House.[13][14]

Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin has been awarded the 'Global Peace Award' for 2015 in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the promotion of human rights and social justice. [15][16]

Succession controversy

Succession controversy aroused after the demise of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin in January 2014, Mufaddal took up the office of Dai[17][18][19] Khuzaima also took the office as the Dai, claiming to have been appointed heir 50 years earlier in secrecy,[18][20][21]challenging Mufaddal's right to be Dai in court.[22]

After Burhanuddin suffered a stroke in June 2011 in London, Mufaddal Saifuddin was declared as his successor by Muffadal's brothers.[23] The Dawoodi Bohra community was reported of the succession by Mufaddal's brothers[24][25] a group formed in 2013 in support of Burhanuddin's half-brother Khuzaima Qutbuddin, who was Mazoon, serving second under Dai al Mutlaq.[17]

The faction of Dawoodi Bohras led by Qaid Johar Ezzuddin the brother of Mufaddal who follow Mufaddal Saifuddin supports Mufaddal Saifuddin as Dai,[26] and it is alleged that they have excommunicated Qutbuddin and his faction.[27] However, there is no official confirmation from Dawoodi Bohra community on the alleged ex-communication and progressive members have called a banned on this practice citing it as illegal.[28]

Dissenters claim that Burhanuddin did not publicly declare any successor as late as 2011 and there were fights between rival factions of Burhanuddin's family over who should inherit control.[29]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "A perilous transition - Mumbai Mirror". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  2. ^ a b c Rizwan Mawani (30 January 2014). "The Intricacies of Succession: Two Claimants Emerge for Dawoodi Bohra Leadership". Huffington Post. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  3. ^ http://twocircles.net/2015apr11/1428763650.html
  4. ^ "Bohra community head is AMU Chancellor". The Hindu. 12 April 2015.
  5. ^ Gulshan-e-Ma'alumaat Birth Date Article[full citation needed]
  6. ^ "Syedna Aali Qadr Mufaddal Saifuddin". Free Press Journal. 26 January 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Profile of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin". GulfNews.com. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  8. ^ "Chancellor". Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  9. ^ http://amu.ac.in/about3.jsp?did=7908
  10. ^ "Union Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid". Afternoon Dispatch and Courier. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  11. ^ Hasan, Shazia (28 February 2014). "Saifuddin receives warm welcome on brief visit". DAWN.com. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  12. ^ http://www.sbsun.com//social-affairs/20150313/ontario-mosque-inaugurated-by-spiritual-leader
  13. ^ http://pakistannewsexpress.com/story/%EF%BB%BFdoctorate-degree-conferred-upon-syedna-mufaddal-saifuddin/
  14. ^ http://tribune.com.pk/story/953141/leader-of-bohra-community-awarded-honorary-degree/
  15. ^ http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/syedna-mufaddal-saifuddin-bestowed-with-global-peace-award-115092500531_1.html
  16. ^ http://www.afternoondc.in/city-news/dr-syedna-mufaddal-saifuddin-conferred-with-global-peace-award/article_149727
  17. ^ a b "Talk of rift among Bohras over Syedna's successor". Hindustan Times. 15 April 2013.
  18. ^ a b "Bohras protest Syedna's half-brother 's claim". The Times Of India. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  19. ^ http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-claimant-to-syedna-seat-declares-official-challenge-1968682, 'Mufaddal Saifuddin as designate-successor'.'Mufaddal took charge officially last month'
  20. ^ "Talk of rift among Bohras over Syedna's successor". Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  21. ^ "The Intricacies of Succession: Two Claimants Emerge for Dawoodi Bohra Leadership". Huffington Post. 30 January 2014.
  22. ^ http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-claimant-to-syedna-seat-declares-official-challenge-1968682, 'but this has been challenged by Khuzaima'
  23. ^ 'Mufaddal Saifuddin as designate-successor', http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-claimant-to-syedna-seat-declares-official-challenge-1968682
  24. ^ http://gulfnews.com/news/world/india/profile-of-syedna-mufaddal-saifuddin-1.1279387, 'With prayers and quiet celebrations at home, the Dawoodi Bohra community had welcomed their community leader’s choice of Mufaddal Saifuddin as his successor'
  25. ^ "Dawoodi Bohras welcome nomination of successor". Hindustan Times. Mumbai: HT Media. 7 June 2011.
  26. ^ "How is Syedna chosen? HC wants to know". The Indian Express. 30 April 2014.
  27. ^ "Bohras make anti-Syedna faction's ex-communication official, stick by Mufaddal Saifuddin". Daily News and Analysis. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  28. ^ http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-social-boycott-of-khuzaima-qutbuddin-oppressive-say-progressive-bohras-seeking-its-complete-ban-1955460
  29. ^ "bohra-dissenters-challenge-oppressive-priesthood/". Retrieved 9 December 2014.

External links

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