100,000 Dawoodi Bohras in Mumbai for discourses by Syedna

Mumbai, Dec 22 : Over 100,000 Dawoodi Bohras from all over the world have congregated in the city for the annual Moharram 'waaz' (discourses) being delivered by Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, the spiritual head of the community.

The 98-year old Syedna started the marathon discourses Saturday and will continue till next Sunday, according to his spokesperson.

This is the first time that the event is being held at the swank new Dawoodi Bohra mosque in Marol, adjacent to the airport.

In the discourses, the Syedna narrates the tragic martyrdom of Imam Husain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, in Karbala (Iraq) on Friday Oct 10, 680 AD, and speaks about his sacrifice for the cause of Islam and humanity.

During his discourses, the Syedna conveys the universal message of peace, international harmony, social justice and also prays for the wellbeing and prosperity of the people of the world.

The visiting community members from all over Asia, Europe, America and Canada, Australia, Africa and the Far East, even from small island nations like Reunion, are being accommodated in batches of 23,000 per day in the precincts of the Marol mosque to enable them hear the discourses.

The discourses are also being telecast live via satellite to over 700 cities globally.

The Mumbai-based International Ashara Mubaraka Committee has made elaborate arrangements for the stay, travel, medical emergencies and other requirements of the visiting community members.

In the past few years, the Syedna has held the Moharram discourses in Houston, Dubai, Cairo, Colombo, Nairobi, Dar-es-Salaam and several Indian cities.