Surat, GUJARAT:
On the sidelines of the educational seminars, various stalls and exhibitions on environment, and business have also been set up at the community’s sports ground in Khaimat al-Riyada to provide a holistic learning experience to the attendees.
The leader of the global Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq, arrived in Surat from Rajkot on Thursday on the occasion of ‘Istifada Ilmiyya’ (education seminar). He will be in the city till first week of November.
Every year, the education seminar — ‘Istifada Ilmiyya’ — is held in Surat that is graced by his presence, said organisers. ‘Istifada Ilmiyya’ comprises a series of learning and skill development sessions that cover a wide variety of topics such as Islamic philosophy, history, and jurisprudence, as well as contemporary topics. The attendees include students, business people, professionals, and teachers as well as members of Syedna’s administration, and graduates of the Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy.
Thousands of community members annually register their presence at the event. This year, the event kicked off on Friday, and myriad programmes will continue till the first week of November.
Hatim Fakhar, public relations coordinator for the Dawoodi Bohras in Surat, said, “The anticipation and excitement to host thousands of attendees for this annual educational seminar in Surat are palpable, and we hope we will be able to provide them with a memorable experience. This year, the event is even more special as we will mark the 80th birthday of His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin on 3rd November.”
“We are grateful to the local authorities and government agencies for rendering their timely support and assistance as always in hosting thousands of community members in the city,” Fakhar added,
A large number of members of the Dawoodi Bohra community have already arrived in Surat from various parts of India and the world to attend the events in the Zampa Bazaar area on Thursday. With the venue intricately decorated, boasting of colourful lights and freshly painted buildings, hundreds of volunteers are also present to guide visitors.
The Surat unit of the community had been preparing for the event over the last 15 days by hiring open grounds and plots on rent and by erecting tents with various facilities for visitors to stay. Besides hotel rooms, several houses in Zampa Bazar, Sagrampura, Begampura, Salabatpura (walled city areas) have been rented out for visitors. Apart from this, the organisers have also arranged staff to maintain cleanliness on roads and halls. . Apart from this, Burhani Foundation & local organisers have also arranged staff to maintain cleanliness on roads and halls.
The Zampa Bazaar area in Surat is home to a large number of members of the Dawoodi Bohra community in India, where one can find religious places, an Arabic university, and shops run by the community.
On the sidelines of the educational seminars, various stalls and exhibitions on environment, and business have also been set up at the community’s sports ground in Khaimat al-Riyada to provide a holistic learning experience to the attendees.
Ummehani Ismail, a lawyer and a mother of two who travelled from the United States to attend the annual seminar, said, “Every year, I look forward to attending these seminars which have helped me develop new skills and broaden my knowledge base and understanding on various aspects of life. These sessions empower me to be a better person and create a positive impact on society. Throughout the event, we engage in thought-provoking discussions, attend workshops, and benefit from the speakers’ insights.”
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> News> Surat / by Express News Service, Surat / October 21st, 2023