Pune Bohras get new year gift in spiritual head

The Pune visit of Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, the 52nd Da’i al-mutlaq (spiritual head) of the Dawoodi Bohra community, on Sunday gave the community a reason to celebrate.

Syedna visited the city after almost 10 years, which made his visit more special. Although he was expected to arrive at around 2 pm, his chopper was delayed due to technical snags.

Nearly 10,000 people from the Bohra community greeted Syedna and took his deedar (blessings). The moment he got out of the helicopter, he was escorted to the stage in a van.

He will be living in a bungalow at the plush Fakhri Hills in Kondhwa where influential Bohra families reside.

Syedna visited the city along with his eldest son Syedi Qaidjohar Bhaisaheb Ezzuddin, while his second son Syedi Mufaddal Bhaisaheb Saifuddin arrived in the city late on Sunday.

Mushafa Merchant (31), a resident of Wanavdi told DNA, “This is the best new year gift we could have asked for. I am so glad to meet him. I consider this moment as my life’s biggest achievement.”

Sources said that a large public function is unlikely as the Syedna is still in mourning after the demise of his fourth son, Shz Aliwagar Syedi Huzefa Bhaisaheb Mohyuddin, who passed away in Ahmedabad on January 15. The Syedna will be in the city for eight days.