Dawoodi Bohras: Encyclopedia II - Dawoodi Bohras - Contemporary Dawoodi Bohras

Dawoodi Bohras - Contemporary Dawoodi Bohras

The Dawoodi Bohras are a very closely-knit community who seek advice from the da'i in both spiritual and temporal matters.

While the majority of Dawoodi Bohras have traditionally been traders, it is becoming increasingly common for them to become professionals. Within South Asia many choose to become Doctors, and in the Far East and the West, a large number now work as consultants or analysts as well as a large contingent of medical professionals. Dawoodi Bohras are encouraged to educate themselves in both religious and secular knowledge, and as a result, the number of professionals in the community is rapidly increasing. Unlike many other sects of Islam, Dawoodi Bohras believe that the education of women is equally important to that of men, and many Dawoodi Bohra women choose to enter the workforce. Al Jamea tus Saifiyah (The Arabic Academy in Surat and Karachi is a sign to the educational importance in the Bohra community. The Academy has an advanced curriculum which encompasses religious and secular education for both men and women.

Today there are approximately one million Dawoodi Bohras. The majority of these reside in India and Pakistan, but there is also a significant diaspora resident in the Middle East, East Africa, Europe, North America and the Far East.

The ordinary Bohra is highly conscious of his identity and this is especially demonstrated at religious and traditional occasions by the appearance and attire of the participants. Dawoodi Bohra men wear a traditional white three piece outfit, plus a white and gold cap (called a topi), and women wear the rida, a distinctive form of the commonly known burka which is distinguished from other forms of the veil due to it often being in colour and decorated with patterns and lace.

Besides speaking the local languages, the Bohras have their own language called Lisan al-Dawat. This is written in Arabic script but is derived from Urdu, Gujarati and Arabic.

Remembrance of Hadrat Imam Husain AS (Grandson of Prophet Mohammed)'s martyrdom is an essential part of every Bohra community activity. Every year the head of the community Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin delivers religious discourses for 9 days during the days of Aashurah and these are attended by a large number of community members.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Contemporary Dawoodi Bohras", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki