Progressive Dawoodi Bohras

The Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community organised its 11th All World Conference in Bhopal from 14th to 16th February 2002. The conference, attended by 350 delegates from different parts of India and abroad, was inaugurated by Syed Hamid, the ex-Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. Shri Kamleshwar, noted Hindi writer and journalist was the chief guest and Shri Prabhash Joshi, eminent Hindi journalist, was the guest of honour.

The conference, attended by 300 delegates from India and abroad, was a great success. Bhopal was chosen for various reasons. It was in Bhopal that Sayedna Mohammed Burahnuddin pressed the administration to arrest Asghar Ali Engineer after blaming him for the February 2000 on-flight incident. But when the Bhopal police and collector gave a clean-chit to Dr. Engineer, the Kothar tried to influence the Chair of State Minorities Commission who gave an absolutely damaging report against Dr. Engineer.

The report, which was published in the newspapers, had also recommended to the M.P. government not invite Dr. Engineer for any lecture, seminar or workshop. Therefore it became necessary to hold the conference in Bhopal to show Sayedna's administration that India a free and democratic country which does not run under Sayena's dictates and they cannot stop anyone from expressing their views by employing dubious means. Newspapers had conducted interviews with Dr. Engineer through e-mail and had written articles even before he arrived in Bhopal. Large banners were put up at important junction in the city like railway station, bus stops, and market centres.

The local Amil and Jamaat had called hundreds of Bohras from Indore and other places to oppose the Conference but they were strictly warned by the local administration not create any trouble. On 13th February at 10:30 a.m. Dr. Engineer addressed a well-attended press conference at Hotel Plash. In the evening he met the members of the Reception Committee and explained to them the aims and objects of the Bohra Reform Movement. The Reception Committee was composed of 41 prominent citizens of Bhopal under the chairmanship of former Gov. Chief Secretary, Mrs. Nirmala Bhch.

Inaugural session

On the evening of 14th February the inaugural function started at Gandhi Bhavan Bhopal with Tilawate Quran-Majid by the Imam of Tajul-Masajid.

The Gandhi Bhavan, which has a capacity of 1000 seats, was packed with the delegates, Reception Committee members, media persons, and prominent citizens. After Tilawate Quran-Majid the chairperson of the Reception Committee Mrs. Nimala Buch while welcoming the delegates defined the struggle for reforms in the context of democracy and human rights. She said the exchanges on these issues strengthen institutions that sever people an nation.

In his inaugural address, the former vice-chancellor of Alighar Muslim University Janab Sayyed Hamid said, "I deem it a hounor to be invited to 11th All World Dawoodi Bohra Conference. Kindly accept my congratulations for this important occasion, which provides an opportunity not only for stock-taking but also for future planning."

Syed Ahmed said that education is the key for progress of communities. The Muslims should strive to raise their level of education. He also maintained that internal conflicts should be resolved through dialogue. There should always be a place for dialogue for resolving problems. He also remarked that the mental slavery could be removed only through education.

He showed concern regarding the communal situation in the country and called for bridging the gulf between communities while extolling the secular approach of Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer. He stressed that the Bohra community should try to sink its differences and march forward towards the goal of unhindered progress adhering at the same time its religious moorings.

He said, ''I have been a great admirer of Mr. Asghar Ali Engineer. His monographs and articles, which constitute a long series spread over decades, have contributed extensively towards removal of misapprehensions about Islam and Muslims. He has played a very valuable role in removal of misunderstandings. He investigated all major communal clashes and his objective findings have been received by the country with respect. His credentials have ensured that whatever he writes about Muslims receives attention countrywide."

Highlighting the objectives of the Conference Dr. Engineer said that the reformists have never challenged the religious tenets or official position of Dai. He said our movement is not for reforms in religion but we are fighting for reforms in the secular matters of the community. He said, the entire Bohra community has been enslaved by their religious establishment, and the reformists are fighting against the unjust, oppressive and authoritarian regime.

Mrs. Mehmooda Nath of Udaipur described the atrocities and difficulties the Bohras of Udaipur had faced as a result of the corrupt religious establishment.

The convenor of the Reception Committee, Shri L.S. Hardenia compare Dr. Engineer with Nelson Mandela for his committed work against Sayedna's coercive system.

The delegates and speakers discussed how the misuse of religion by politician and corrupt religious leaders cause grief to the people destroys the spirit of religion. Shri Prabash Joshi was critical about the activities of Sangh Parivar. He said it is wrong to call it a parivar because in a family there exists a bond of love between members. But in Sangh there is only hatred and violence. He said it should be called a Sangh Sampradaya for trying to create a communal identity. He said, "ordinary Hindu never approve destruction of any mosque and people have proved it by voting the BJP out of power in UP the very next year after the demolition of Babri Masjid." He said that the practice of ostracism by the Sayedna was unconstitutional and inhuman.

Joshi said in his speech that the reformist struggle is very valuable and requires great sacrifices and reformists have made great sacrifices. The presence of large number of women among the delegates, almost half, is a great reason for hope, he said. If women desire reform and change no power on earth can stop it, he concluded. Mr. Lutfur Rehman said things have deteriorated in all religions. It is now difficult to find a respect for high ideals among modern-day practitioners of religions.

Shri Kamleshwar, who has been with the reformists all through the thick and thin of their struggle, paid tributes to reformists for their relentless struggle for change. One must change with the times, he maintained. Religious faith is fine but one should not use religion for personal ends. Democratic governance is the spirit of the day. No one should be persecuted in the name of religion.

Kamleshwar narrated the difficulty he had faced while reaching for the First World Conference held in Udaipur 25 years ago. He said the Bohra reformists have gained much ground since then and there is enough awareness in the Bohra Community now. Referring the controversy over history text books he warned that that history should not be confused with mythology.

More than 350 Bohra delegates participated from Canada, USA, Kuwait, Dubai, Udaipur, Patna, Bombay, Hydrabad, Aurangabad, Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Indore, Bhopal, Sioni, Narsinghad, Neemuch and Ratlam.