Mufaddal Saifuddin
Mufaddal Saifuddin | |
|---|---|
 Saifuddin during Moharram 1437 Waaz in Houston. | |
| Born | 20 August 1946 |
| Spouse(s) | Jawharatusharaf (nee Najmuddin) Bazat Saifiyah Qutbuddin (divorced) |
| Children | Jafar us Sadiq Imaduddin (b. 1973), Taha Najmuddin, Husain Burhanuddin |
| Parent | Mohammed Burhanuddin |
| Relatives | Khuzaima (half-uncle) Taher (cousin) |
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 the 2nd eldest son of the 52nd Dai Mohammed Burhanuddin.
Biography
Early life
Mufaddal Saifuddin was born on 20 August 1946, corresponding to 23 Ramadan 1365 A.H. in Surat, Gujarat,[3] and was given the name Aali Qadr Mufaddal (Arabic:عالي قدر مفضل) by his grandfather Syedna Taher Saifuddin.[4]
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.[4]
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.[5]
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.[6]
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.[7]
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.[8][9]
Mufaddal Saifuddin, was declared elected as the Aligarh Muslim University's new Chancellor on April 11, 2015.[10][11][12][13]
Succession controversy
Succession controversy aroused after the demise of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin in January 2014, Mufaddal claimed the office of Dai[14][15][16] Khuzaima also took the office as the Dai, claiming to have been appointed heir 50 years earlier in secrecy,[15][17][18] challenging Mufaddal's right to be Dai in court.[19]
After Burhanuddin suffered a stroke in June 2011 in London, Mufaddal Saifuddin was declared as his successor by Muffadal's brothers.[20] The Dawoodi Bohra community was reported of the succession by Mufaddal's brothers[21][22] a group formed in 2013 in support of Burhanuddin's half-brother Khuzaima Qutbuddin, who was Mazoon, serving second under Dai al Mutlaq.[14]
The faction of Dawoodi Bohras led by Qaid Johar Ezzuddin the brother of Mufaddal who follow Mufaddal Saifuddin supports Mufaddal Saifuddin as Dai,[23] and it is alleged that they have excommunicated Qutbuddin and his faction.[24] 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.[25]
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.[26]
The rival claimant to Mufaddal saifuddin is now succeeded by Taher Fakhruddin who was appointed by Khuzaima Qutubuddin as the 54th Syedna. [1]
Burhanuddin's now deceased brother Khuzaima Qutubuddin also claimed to be the successor of Burhanuddin after his demise. The legal team of Khuzaima has expressed to continue fighting the case, even though the cross examination dates for the other claimant has been cancelled.[2]. The high court has not passed any order for abatement of the suit and the case still continues in the court [3]
Forced Allegiance
There are various reports that Mufaddal has taken over part of the administration using threat and intimidation.[27] Also the Bohras who support Khuzaima are being forced to swear allegiance to Muffadal using social boycott and threats of divorce between married couples.[27] It is alleged that Mufaddal Saifuddin and his representatives are resorting to threats and social pressure to maintain their control over the community[28]
Sakina’s husband was okay with her belief in Qutbuddin, but the local jamaat insisted that she leave her marital home. Her in-laws and husband succumbed. The second woman, a professional, had just had her nikaah solemnised; now, her in-laws have told her to choose between her belief and her husband.
— Reported threats of divorce in Punemirror
See also
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References
- ^ a b "A perilous transition - Mumbai Mirror". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Syedna Aali Qadr Mufaddal Saifuddin". Free Press Journal. 26 January 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ a b "Profile of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin". GulfNews.com. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
- ^ "Union Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid". Afternoon Dispatch and Courier. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ Hasan, Shazia (28 February 2014). "Saifuddin receives warm welcome on brief visit". DAWN.com. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
- ^ http://www.sbsun.com//social-affairs/20150313/ontario-mosque-inaugurated-by-spiritual-leader
- ^ http://pakistannewsexpress.com/story/%EF%BB%BFdoctorate-degree-conferred-upon-syedna-mufaddal-saifuddin/
- ^ http://tribune.com.pk/story/953141/leader-of-bohra-community-awarded-honorary-degree/
- ^ "Chancellor". Retrieved 13 April 2015.
- ^ http://amu.ac.in/about3.jsp?did=7908
- ^ http://zeenews.india.com/news/uttar-pradesh/syedna-mufaddal-saifuddin-is-new-vc-of-amu_1577191.html
- ^ http://www.amu.ac.in/about3.jsp?did=7908
- ^ a b "Talk of rift among Bohras over Syedna's successor". Hindustan Times. 15 April 2013.
- ^ a b "Bohras protest Syedna's half-brother 's claim". The Times Of India. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
- ^ 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'
- ^ "Talk of rift among Bohras over Syedna's successor". Retrieved 26 March 2014.
- ^ "The Intricacies of Succession: Two Claimants Emerge for Dawoodi Bohra Leadership". Huffington Post. 30 January 2014.
- ^ http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-claimant-to-syedna-seat-declares-official-challenge-1968682, 'but this has been challenged by Khuzaima'
- ^ 'Mufaddal Saifuddin as designate-successor', http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-claimant-to-syedna-seat-declares-official-challenge-1968682
- ^ 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'
- ^ "Dawoodi Bohras welcome nomination of successor". Hindustan Times. Mumbai: HT Media. 7 June 2011.
- ^ "How is Syedna chosen? HC wants to know". The Indian Express. 30 April 2014.
- ^ "Bohras make anti-Syedna faction's ex-communication official, stick by Mufaddal Saifuddin". Daily News and Analysis. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
- ^ http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-social-boycott-of-khuzaima-qutbuddin-oppressive-say-progressive-bohras-seeking-its-complete-ban-1955460
- ^ "bohra-dissenters-challenge-oppressive-priesthood/". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
- ^ a b http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/Bohras-who-refuse-to-denounce-Qutbuddin-face-boycott-threats/articleshow/30661224.cms,http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Breakaway-Dawoodi-Bohra-faction-alleges-harassment/articleshow/29874753.cms?referral=PM
- ^ Shelar, Jyoti (26 December 2014). "Battle for Bohra spiritual head's seat splits families". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
