Successor to Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin named

A successor has been announced for Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, the head of the Dawoodi Bohra community, after he was admitted to a London hospital on Saturday night after a stroke. The leader’s second son, Mufaddal has been announced as the next supreme head of the community.

Messages from community members based in London on Sunday said that he was still in hospital. In Mumbai, the Anjuman-E-Shiate Ali, the administrative office of the community said that he had a stroke at around 11.00pm (IST) on Saturday. On Sunday, as the news reached them, community members headed to their main mosques in Bhendi Bazaar. Abdelali Shaikh Bhanpurwala, spokesperson at the community headquarters confirmed that a successor has been announced. “We will issue an official announcement later during the week.The Syedna is well and recovering.”

On Sunday, a website hosting Bohra community news announced that Syedna Burhanuddin ‘has proclaimed Naas (succession) upon Shahzada Aali Qadr Mufaddal Saifuddin’. Another message on the website by another of the Syedna’s son Qaidjoher Ezzuddin said that the leader had been admitted to a hospital after a mild stroke.

Syedna Burhanuddin succeeded his father Syedna Taher Saifuddin in 1965 as the 52nd Dai al Mutlaq or head of the Dawoodi Borhas. In March, the community had observed the 100th year of their leader with processions and fireworks off Marine Drive. The Syedna was visiting London for a local religious event.