Syedna's sermon draws 32,000 at Saifee mosque

MUMBAI: Few Muharram majlises (congregations) in the city are as crowded and disciplined as the ones held at the 90-year-old Saifee Masjid in the crowded Bhendi Bazaar. And when Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, the spiritual head of the Dawoodi Bohras, addresses Muharram mourners, the turnout is just overwhelming.The 99-year-oldSyedna (he will turn 100 in March next year), uses his discourse to preach peaceand harmony. This year, he began his Muharram discourse on December 8 and willcontinue till December 16, the day of Ashura, or martyrdom of Imam Hussain,Prophet Mohammed's grandson. Other Muslims will observe Ashura on December 17;the Bohras mark it on December 16 because they follow the Egyptiancalendar.On Monday, the Syedna, frail but alert, was brought in apalanquin-like chair and seated on a throne before eagerly waiting, identicallydressed male devotees (the women are in colourful ridas and seated separately).The consistently chest-thumping crowd sobbed and cried as the gentle patriarchrecounted the tragic events of Karbala (in Iraq) in the 7th century, where ImamHussain and many of his close relatives were killed because he refused to acceptthe Ummayid caliph Yazid as their leader. But apart from Muharram's tragichistory, the Syedna, speaking softly in Gujarati and referring to the Quraniccommandments and traditions of the Prophet, also reiterated the duty of aMuslim."The Syedna always stresses the point that his communitymembers should be loyal to the land they live in. Peace and patriotism alwaysfeature in his discourses," said Shaikh Abdeali Bhanpurawala, a public relationsofficer associated with Dawat-e-Hadiyah, an institution headed by the Syedna.Though nowadays he speaks for around two hours at Muharram majlises, the Syednais known for speaking for over four hours without a break."Spiritualpower propels him to remain active even at this age," Bhanpurawala said. Familyvalues, matrimonial harmony and bringing up children were part of his speech onMonday.Since the Syedna's speech is considered sacred for everyBohra, there is a great rush to be at his Majlis. The attendees received theirinvitations after registering by e-mail. Nearly two lakh Bohras from across theworld are in town and around 32,000 get to sit in the massive mosque at a time.Those who have not found a place at the mosque see him on screens set up at 60relay centres across the city and suburbs. "It is an honour to volunteer ourservices here," said Murtuza Ali Siddiuqui, a businessman and an ardent followerof the Syedna.