Categories: conf_99
      Date: January 18, 2008
     Title: A grand show of reformists' strength in Udaipur

The inaugural function of the Conference was held on 13th February1999 at Railway Training Institute. By 10:30 in the morning the Conference hall was jam-packed. The overwhelming participation of the Bohra women was most impressive. The delegates from outside Udaipur were happy to see the strength of their brothers and sisters in Udaipur. They could also see with their own eyes the hollowness of the Kothar's propaganda that the majority of Bohra Youth reformists in Udaipur had given misaaq.

Maulana Sharafuddin Noori recited an aayat from the Holy Qur'an at the commencement of the Conference. Then a revolutionary song was sung by the members of Student Welfare Society of Udaipur. The Chairman of the Dawoodi Bohra Jamaat Udaipur, Mr. Mohammed Husain Haidari then delivered his welcome address. Then yours truly, Saifuddin Insaf, read out the massages received from the President of India, Shri K. R. Narayan, from Chief Minister of Rajasthan, from Governor of Tamil Nadu, Justice Fatima Beevee, Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shree Patel, Chairman of P.U.C.L. Shri Kannabrum and many others.

Then the Chairman of the Justice Tewatia Commission of Inquiry, Justice D.S.Tewatia and the member of the Commission Shri Kuldip Nayar were felicitated by the Central Board for their services to inquire into the violation of human rights of the Bohras at the hands of their religious head from 1980 to 1994.

The Vice-Chancellor of Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Shri Arya Kumar Singh who was the chairman of city reception committee, then read out the Statement of Reception Committee. The Statement while welcoming the World Conference said that We are convinced that the reformists' struggle against religious authoritarianism needs to be fully supported by all right thinking people. The struggle is in complete conformity with the secular democratic and pluralistic social structure of India and helps strengthening these values. The brave sons and daughters of Rajasthan have never compromised with forces of injustice and oppression. The reformist Bohras of Udaipur have done Rajasthan proud."

The Chairman of Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community, the umbrella organisations of reformist Bohras, Mr. Shabbir Hussain said in his address, that the right to freedom of speech, right to freedom of conscience, right to freely associate, right dissent, right to profess and propagate which are given to us by the greatest religion of the world, Islam, and by the greatest democracy of the world, India, are being denied to us by our religious establishment.

The chief guest justice Tewatia said, "during our inquiry in the alleged violation of human rights I was shocked to learn the inhuman way the Bohras are treated. I could not believe that towards the end of the 20th century an institution like the Kothar still exists which practices the bygone slavery and imposes raza on every thing. And this raza is not free. One has to pay to get raza."

He said he was much impressed by the participation of Bohra women in such great numbers. Their participation is a guaranty for the success of reform movement, he added.

The guest of honour, and Minister of Minority Affair in the state of Bihar, Mr. Lutfur-Rehman said the practices of the Kothar is a garment which has neither body nor soul in it. He said religions are for the welfare of humanity and if any religion starts exploiting and persecuing people it cannot be called a religion. It is monstrosity. He said there is no necessity of ladder between God and man. And in Islam there is no priesthood. Islam which came as mercy to unite the mankind is being used by the Kothar to cut off blood relations.

The renowned writer of Rajasthan, Mr. Ved Vyas said that the days of the Kothar are numbered. The brave struggle of women of Bohra youth is instrumental in bringing awareness in women of Rajasthan for their rights. Today we find the women in Rajasthan are fighting for their rights everywhere.

On the occasion of the conference a souvenir was published cotaining articles by justice Dharmadhikari, justice Suresh, Bombay Samachar's editor, Jahan Daruwala, Dr. Asgharali Engineer and Shabbir Hussein Madraswala, beside having a brief history of almost century of struggle for reform in the Bohra community - in words and pictures.

After namaaz and lunch the second session was held at the Bohra jamaatkhana hall. The session started at around 3:30pm. Dr. Asgharali Engineer presented the Gen. Secretary's Report.

A number of delegates expressed their views on the report. The delegates from Aurangabad, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bombay, Surat, Baroda, Indore and Lathi presented their area wise reports.

Mr. Zulfiqar Hussein while presenting the report of Marathwada region pointed out that the situation in Udaipur is quite different from other places. In Udaipur all mosques, jamaatkhanas, mazaars, musafirkhana, jamaat office, schools and grave-yards are in the absolute control of the reformists and the orthodox Bohras are at their obligation for making use of these community properties. So he advised the Bohra youth members to deal very carefully in the present circumstances.

In the evening a cultural program was organized by the Student Welfare Society and the Bohra Youth Association. Dramas, songs, monoacting skits were presented. Next day on 14th February in the morning session seven resolutions were discussed and passed unanimously. Many delegates from Udaipur and from outside expressed their views while seconding these resolution.

The elections were then held for the office-bearers of the Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community. Mr. Shabbier Hussein Madraswala as Chairman, Dr. Asgharali Engineer as Gen. Secretary and Mr. Zulfiqar Hussein, Zakir Habib and Capt. Mansoor Ali as Vice-Chairmen were elected unanimously. Election were held for the post of Treasurer between Mr. Qamruddin Palanawala and Mr. Yunus Baluwala. Mr. Yunus K. Baluwala was elected with thumping majority. 60 members for the Central Executive Committee were elected from various regions.

A function of Husaini Marriage Information Bearau, Udaipur, was held at night at the marriage hall. The function was organized by Mr. Moiz Mediwala. Many candidates from Udaipur and outside participated in the function.

Mr. Saifuddinbhai Valiji and his wife who had come from the U.K. informed that they are also running a similar marriage information bearau in England. It was then decided that the marriage bearau run by Maryam Bahen Contractor in Bombay, by Moizbhai Mediwala in Udaipur and by Saifuddin Bhai Valiji in the U.K. shall coordinate with each other to exchange information.

Hotel accommodation for the delegates from outside Udaipur and food served in the jamaatkhana was excellent. Bohra Youth volunteers really worked hard to make our visit comfortable and enjoyable. They worked with great devotion in organizing the conference halls, putting up banners and generally making sure that everything went smoothly. The untiring services of Yusuf R. G., Shabbir Nasir, Mansoor Ali Nathudwarawala, Sarfaraz R. G., Sarfaraz Raj, Nasir Jawed, Dr. Abbas Alvi, Dr. Zainab Banu, Zubeda Katthawala, Tehmida Bahen Haidari, Amina Nath and their groups is really praiseworthy.

The conference was conducted by Shabbier Husain Bhai in most dignified manner and many delicate situations were handled tactfully by Zulfiqar Husain Bhai.

We thank everybody involved in making the Conference a great success.