Re: Dawoodi Bohras in the media - 2016
Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 11:20 pm
dawedaar:
you wrote [Even abdes in Africa and other places are migrants or descendants of such people. In such places, there are/were no other forms of social activities than to go to masjid for religious events.]
I beg to differ and would like to enlighten you with a few facts. I was born and raised in Kenya and so was my father. Bohras in the early 1945 onwards established themselves in countries like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zanzibar. Most cities and towns had schools and mosques built by philanthropists like the Karimjees, Nooranis, Sachaks, Mamujis, Jinjawallas, Dhorajiwallas and others. These well meaning and forward-thinking people spent millions of dollars to build academic schools, sports grounds, community housing for the poor and so on. They together with other members of the community built revenue properties from which educational scholarships including fees Maafi , ration for widows and needy, free medical services were provided. Hundreds of youngsters availed themselves of scholarships to acquire education in the UK and India. These became the vanguard of rational thinkers and proponents of enlightenment. The Bohra community in all this countries began flourishing in all fields. When the 51 Dai visited these countries in 1963 he was welcomed with all the enthusiasm of a society that was proud of him. He saw the immense wealth and influence of the community and initiated the abrogation of the East African Bohra Central Council. He did this with the aid of a few side liners like the Hebatullas in a pincer movement. On witnessing this development, and to avoid confrontation with the Dai the philanthropists quietly receded. In order to wrench control the Dai's henchmen started vilifying the philanthropists and their efforts in modernizing the community. The first wave of Bohras started to leave those countries for the West was in the early 1950s. They had hoped to start afresh only to be followed by the Dai followers to replacate the same scenario in the West.
I welcome additional comments from people from East Africa and their experiences during these times.
you wrote [Even abdes in Africa and other places are migrants or descendants of such people. In such places, there are/were no other forms of social activities than to go to masjid for religious events.]
I beg to differ and would like to enlighten you with a few facts. I was born and raised in Kenya and so was my father. Bohras in the early 1945 onwards established themselves in countries like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zanzibar. Most cities and towns had schools and mosques built by philanthropists like the Karimjees, Nooranis, Sachaks, Mamujis, Jinjawallas, Dhorajiwallas and others. These well meaning and forward-thinking people spent millions of dollars to build academic schools, sports grounds, community housing for the poor and so on. They together with other members of the community built revenue properties from which educational scholarships including fees Maafi , ration for widows and needy, free medical services were provided. Hundreds of youngsters availed themselves of scholarships to acquire education in the UK and India. These became the vanguard of rational thinkers and proponents of enlightenment. The Bohra community in all this countries began flourishing in all fields. When the 51 Dai visited these countries in 1963 he was welcomed with all the enthusiasm of a society that was proud of him. He saw the immense wealth and influence of the community and initiated the abrogation of the East African Bohra Central Council. He did this with the aid of a few side liners like the Hebatullas in a pincer movement. On witnessing this development, and to avoid confrontation with the Dai the philanthropists quietly receded. In order to wrench control the Dai's henchmen started vilifying the philanthropists and their efforts in modernizing the community. The first wave of Bohras started to leave those countries for the West was in the early 1950s. They had hoped to start afresh only to be followed by the Dai followers to replacate the same scenario in the West.
I welcome additional comments from people from East Africa and their experiences during these times.