Progressive Dawoodi Bohras

The place for holding the World Conference is always chosen with some strategic considerations. In Udaipur, after the clashes between the orthodox and the reformist Bohras in the early Seventies, by and large the relations between the two groups had remained peaceful for the last 30 years. In fact, social relations between them had improved and they were even participating in each other's social functions quite freely.

In order to strengthen mutual understanding reformist Bohras constructed a hall known as 'Bohra Community Centre' where members of both the groups were holding social functions and mixing with each other.

Obliviously Bohra religious establishment was keenly watching these developments and worrying that Udaipur may slip from their hands completely. So they again decided to create divisions by instigating some elements in the orthodox group under their control, who without any reason suddenly resorted to violent attacks in September 2007 on the reformist Bohras belonging to Bohra Youth Association.

In the holy month of Ramadan the situation in Udaipur was so much worsened that a curfew was imposed for three days and Udaipur once again made headlines in the regional and national media.

The wider Bohra community was surprised at the strength of reformist Bohras in Udaipur. Because the persons occupying the highest position of Dawat, Sayedna Saheb himself had told the world that all the reformists in Udaipur had come back into fold and and that there were no more reformists left in Udaipur. The faithful community believed him. But the 2007 incident in Udaipur exposed the false propaganda.

Soon the Bohra religious establishment realised its mistake and the notorious Amil Mustafa Moiyadi was called back. And there was peace again in the community and in the city.

Under these unusual circumstances the central organisation of reformist Bohras, Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community (CBDBC) decided to hold their 13th All World Conference in Udaipur to spread the massage of love, harmony and understanding among the instigated Bohras.

Thus 13th All World Dawoodi Bohra Conference was held this time at Udaipur from 1-3 February 2008. There was absolutely no opposition to this conference. That proves that in general Bohras on both side of the divide are peace-loving and only some mischievous elements among them create trouble when they are instigated by their priests.

During Moharram this year (2008) orthodox Bohras (Shabab group) had objected to installation of Sabeels, taking out of Matami Juloos etc. by reformists. In reaction to this reformists and their supporter among the citizens of Udaipur flooded the city with the conference banners and posters in preparation for the conference. Prominent non-Bohra citizens also decided to welcome the conference in a big way. They formed a Reception Committee of 34 prominent writers, litterateurs, lawyers, journalists, social activists and other eminent citizens from all walks of life from all over Rajasthan.

The Reception Committee in its meeting on 30th January finalized the programme and issued a press note for the press and for general public. The Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community’s Udaipur office printed the list of Reception Committee members on one side of its letter head for all correspondences related to the conference.

Press Meet

A day before the conference, on 31st January a Press Meet was held in the Burhania public library, outside Hathi Pole in Udaipur. The following Press Release was issued to the media:

Dear Friends,

The 13th All World Conference is taking place in Udaipur from tomorrow. More than 500 delegates will take in the conference from all over India, USA, UK, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Canada etc. The Conference will be inaugurated by Justice Rajendra Sachar.

B.L. Mungekar, member Planning Commission will be the Chief Guest. Syeda Hameed, member Planning Commission and Aruna Roy, noted social activist will be the Guests of Honour. Teesta Setalvad, noted social activist, L.S. Hardinia, Journalist and Lutfur Rehman, former Minister of Awqaf are expected to attend the conference.

The main theme of the conference is Future Vision and Reaching Out to others. The Bohra Reform Movement has world-wide spread and apart from the reform in the community it also stands for progressive Islam, inter-religious understanding, communal harmony and secular democracy. The youth of the Bohra Reformist section are harbingers of these values. Thus this conference will determine the future course of action and will seek support from all progressive sections of the society.

The reform movement also stands for freedom from fear, and for liberal and secular democracy and is opposed to authoritarianism in the community and anywhere in the country and the world at large. It will always strive for humanism and human values. We are totally opposed to communalism, sectarianism, fanaticism and religious bigotry. We are not only opposed to terrorism but strongly condemn it. The Bohra reformists represent the progressive values of Islam. We struggled hard to promote these values and will continue to strive to promote these values.

Date: 31 January 2008.

The Press Meet was addressed by Dr Asghar Ali Engineer, Gen. Secretary of CBDBC, and Mr. Abid Adeeb, President of Dawoodi Bohra Jamat. They highlighted the aims and objectives of a century-long Bohra Reform Movement. The media persons of all the local daily and National newspapers were present in the Press Meet and the conference news was covered by them the next day.

Inaugural function

On 1st of Feb. 2008 the inaugural function of the conference was held at open air auditorium of Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal in Udaipur. It started at 2:00 p.m. after Friday prayers. The auditorium with the capacity of 2,000 was jam-packed and a large number of people were standing inside and outside the auditorium.

An overwhelming majority of reformist Bohra women, young and old, were in attendance. Apart from a very large gathering of local Bohra population, delegates from other cities in India like Ahmedabad, Surat, Neemach, Mumbai, Bhopal, Hydrabad, Aurangabad, Malegaon etc. were present. Many delegates also came from countries like the USA, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE.

The inaugural function started with the Tilawate Quran-e-Majid by Maulana Firoz Mirza. It was followed by an inspiring "Tarana" written by Saifuddin Insaf and composed and sung by the Mauzzami and Sania Dawood Team. The theme of this conference was "Reaching Out". Thus the Tarana started with:

"Aasman door sahi, hath badhao yaro
Dooriyan dard ke rishton ki mitao Yaro"

The Zonal Secretary of CBDBC Hibtullah Attari invited distinguished guests to the stage and presented them with flower bouquets. Prof. Mohammad Shafi Agwani delivered a welcome address as the chairman of the Reception Committee.

A large number of messages for the success of the conference were received from high government dignitaries and prominent Indian citizen. Com. Mansoor Ali Bohra read out few of them. The messages received from the President of India, Her Excellency Partibha Patil, from former Prime Minister of India, Shri Inder Kumar Gujral, from the Governor of Karnataka, Shri Rameshwar Thakur, from the Governor of Gujarat, Shri Kishore Sharma, from the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Y.S. Raja Shekhar Reddy, from the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Cauhan and other distinguished persons.

After this the conference was inaugurated by Justice Rajendra Sachar, former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, founder and former president of Peoples Union for Civil Liberty and the chairman of Justice Sachar Commission. Justice Sacchar in his inaugural speech said that "No one can stop the progressive thought-process".

A member of the Planning Commission, Prof. B.L. Moongekar, was the chief guest. He said in his address that "a motive behind the Gandhi's namak satyagirah was to make the women participate in national movement. If in any society the awareness comes in women then that society is bound to progress. He said that the reformist Bohras are fighting in Jyotiba Phule - Ambedkar tradition. I congratulate Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer for leading the reform movement in the Bohra community and all those Bohras who are waging their struggle along with him against religious authoritarianism. Their struggle will strengthen democratic and secular forces in this country. Such a struggle only can build modern India. The participation of women in such a large number (almost 70% were women), in this conference is very inspiring and I am proud that I got opportunity to participate in this conference. I am sure reformist Bohras will succeed in their struggle."

While applauding the efforts being made by Bohra reformists for social and democratic reforms, he observed that it is a unique phenomena in modern India. "No reform movement has been sustained with persistent efforts for so long. The Bohra reformists have been fighting for reforms for close to four decades. They have challenged the authority of Bohra high priest to control social and secular lives of Bohras." He advised reformists to depend on their own strength and not on politicians and bureaucrats. He expressed the hope that given their determination and grit to fight they will surely succeed.

"The constitution of India has guaranteed equal rights and freedom to every citizen. Then why should anyone can be compelled to certain pattern of living? Exemption to the Bohra head in Prevention of Ex-communication case was given by the Supreme Court on some minor technical ground. The Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community has filed a petition for review some 21 years ago and it is still pending. I will insist that the President of India to consider it."

Another member of the Planning Commission, Sayyeda Sayyidain Hamid, and an eminent social activist and Magsasay Award winner, Aruna Roy, were the Guests of Honours. Sayyeda Hamid was impressed by the large number of Bohra women present in the conference and she said that "The change in the society is the key to the survival of the humanity. If women come out from their household and participate in a movement nothing can stop it. Presence of women in such a large number in this conference breaks all stereotypes about Muslim women we find in the media. Bohra women struggling for reforms have done all women in India proud. Their participation is really inspiring. I am in the know of Bohra reform movement and have visited Udaipur on an earlier occasion also. When Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer contacted me to come for the conference I readily agreed. I would have missed the opportunity if I had not come. I will go inspired from here and when women participate in the struggle success is guarantee. We should all support this progressive movement."

Aruna Roy the prominent social activist of Rajasthan and the moving force behind the "Right to Information Bill" said in her speech that "My struggle and the struggle by you reformist Bohra is the same. When you launched the struggle for your right to go to Galiakot I was aware of your movement. I have come here today leaving behind my important work because I feel this cause is more important. And I will come again whenever you call me, that is my promise. There is a lack of compassion in our society. But the Bohra community is rich in compassion of which it needs to be reminded."

Besides them many other distinguished persons delivered their addresses and expressed solidarity with the reformists and assured continuous support to their cause. They lauded the peaceful manner in which the reformists are conducting their struggles for securing their democratic and human rights within their community.

Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer, General Secretary of Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community threw light on the aims and objectives of the Bohra reform movement and said that Bohra priesthood is indulging in misleading propaganda about Bohra reformist that they want to reform religion out of existence. "It is a blatant lie. The reformists have challenged corruption and authoritarianism in the name of religion. The Bohra high priest claims to be god on earth. The reformists want to follow Qur'anic values like justice, benevolence, compassion and wisdom. Our struggle is to strengthen secular and democratic forces in the country. The reformist Bohras are committed to communal harmony and are doing their best to promote it."

Abid Ali Adeeb, president, Dawoodi Bohra Jamat, Udaipur also spoke and outlined the events in Udaipur. Shabbir Hussain Madraswala, Chairperson, CBDBC, presided over the inaugural function. The inaugural function ended with a vote of thanks by Hitullah Attari followed by National Anthem.

The second day and third day sessions were held at the Bohra Community Centre in Rasoolpura. For the second day session the following persons graced the presidium: Prof. Babu Bhai Desai from Surat, Lajja Shankar Hardenia from Bhopal, Lutfur-Rehman from Bihar, Abid Adeeb and Sri Ved Viyas. Dr Asghar Ali Engineer presented the General Secretary's report which included his observations on strengths and weaknesses of the reform movement.

Prof. Babu Bhai Desai, a social activist from Surat said "I was the convener 12 th World Conference held at Surat. The reform movements are necessary for India and Indian society. But these reforms should be rational and not traditional. I am a professor and I know in Surat a large numbers of Bohras sympathise with the reform movement. I will give just one example. I suggested to one of my Dawoodi Bohra student to write on the Bohra reform movement in her article for debate competition. She got annoyed and left me. The same evening her father came to me and said that "Sir! Like the majority of Bohras we also sympathise with reformists but we do not open our mouths because of obvious reasons."

Shri L.S. Hardenia, social Activist and secularist from Bhopal said in his speech "I know that in M.P. there are numbers of Bohras who are against the authoritarian rule of Bohra priests. In Indore, Ujjain, Bhopal and other cities majority of Bohras appreciate your efforts."

Hardenia narrated a personal experience to show how our politicians have a nexus with High priests like the Sayedna. He came to know about this at a time when Digvijay Singh was the cheif minister and was planning to go to the airport to receive Sayedna saheb. Hardenia phoned the chief minister and urged him not to go and he promised that he would not go. But then someone from CM office informed Hardenia that in spite of his promise Digvijay is going to airport. He was to receive Sayedna at 8 a.m. Hardenia phoned him at 7 a.m. and told him that "you belong to the party of Jawaharlal Nehru who had refused shaking hands with dictator Mussolini, and you are going to welcome the Bohra dictator."

Farooq Bawani from Rajkot said that Sayedna is maintaining close relations with man like Narendra Modi, helping him openly financially but Muslim leaders do not condemn Sayedna instead support him. Abdul Hafeez Lakhani from Ahmedabad said it is known to Muslim leaders that Bohra Sayedna claims to be God on earth and encourages his followers to do sajda before him. Muslim leaders and Ulema who are agitating against Salman Rishdi and Taslima Nasreen should start an agitation against Bohra Sayedna for his un-Islamic practices.

Shri Ved Vyas, an eminent writer and lournalist from Jaipur said he is active with the reform movement since its beginning and continues to remain with reformists.

"All progressive writers are with this movement. I have seen with my own eyes reformist Bohra women protesting in Jaipur. That was years back but even today I find Bohra women more charged up in their determination and enthusiasm and it is evident from their presence here in large numbers.

Advocate Shah Nawaz Khan from Bhopal gave details about his efforts with Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board to liberate Bohra community's properties in M.P. from Sayedna saheb's absolute control. He said it is strange that in Muslims all over the world the mosques are dedicated to Allah but only in Bohra community mosques are dedicated to the Bohra Dai. "There is no concept of "Sole-Trustee" in Waqf laws", he added.

Janab Lutfur Rahman, former Minister of Auqaf in Bihar, said in his speech "I participated in your Surat conference. I keep on getting update regarding your movement from Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer. The huge gathering here is most inspiring. I am sure your struggle for reform will become an example for others."

Janab Jamil Manzar, a poet and writer from Patna, briefly said that "I am with reform movement from the beginning. In 1970 when I met with writers and poets with Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer to muster support for the Bohra reform movement in the backdrop of Justice Nathwani Commission and I found an overwhelming acceptation of this movement among intelligencia."

In the afternoon session on the second day, foreign delegates participated actively and got the opportunity to talk about their experiences and give their assessment on the present status of the reform movement, its strengths and weaknessess, and offered various strategies for the future. Their opinions were very valuable for steering the course in a proper manner. Thereafter delegates from outside Udaipur and those from Udaipur likewise participated in the discussions.

The second day ended with group discussions. Active and determined participation of Bohra women won laurels from one and all. In order to make their contribution meaningful the women audience was divided into four groups. Each group then elected its own convener and given following four topics for discussions. The comments and recommendations that emerged from the discussion were later relayed by the respective conveners:

In addition to the above,60 members were elected as members for the Central Executive Committee. One third members of this committee are women. The conference ended its three days deliberations with the vote of thanks by Hibtullah Attari on behalf of the organizing committee.