Mufaddal Saifuddin Succession Controversy[1] refers to the ongoing succession crisis in the Dawoodi Bohra community wherein two rival claimants emerged after the death of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin to dispute for the title of 53rd Dai al Mutlaq of Dawoodi Bohra.Before the death of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin it was reported that Mufaddal Saifuddin would be the 53rd Dai but after the death of Burhanuddin this dispute surfaced due to a claim by Khuzaima the mazoon or second in command of Burhanuddin that succession was performed on him 49 years ago in private and that the succession ceremony of Mufaddal was staged using the stroke ridden debilitated body of Burhanuddin.[2] The sons of Khuzaima claim a succession ceremony video was uploaded by them showing that nothing conceivable was uttered in that ceremony to prove that no formal announcement of succession had been made by the late Syedna[3][2]
Contents [hide]
1 Succession controversy
1.1 Forced Allegiance
1.2 Ceremony Video
1.3 Press Conference declares Neutral Stance
1.4 Court Case against Mufaddal Saifuddin
2 References
Succession controversy[edit]
Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin suffered a stroke in a London hospital in year 2011, after which Mufaddal Saifuddin was proclaimed by his brothers as the successor in a London Hospital followed by a ceremony in Mumbai, while the Syedna was still in the state of full stroke.[4][5] It was reported that at home the Dawoodi Bohra community were surprised yet welcomed the name of Mufaddal as the proclaimed successor as informed to them.[6] However, Muffadal Saifuddin's succession has not been accepted by Khuzaima Qutbuddin, the second in command to Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, who claimed the title of the 53rd Dā'ī l-Muṭlaq of the Dawoodi Bohras.[7] Khuzaima Qutbuddin claims that Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin performed nass on him 49 years ago, a ritual during which he appointed him as his successor.[8] He and his sons based on a medical review report claims that the succession was not done in London as Mohammad Burhanuddin suffered from a full stroke at the age of 100 that made it difficult for him to write, speak, or move.[2][1][3] A recent medical review report on succession issue of Mufaddal [2] by Daniel Mankens, chairman of Neurology Beaumont Hospital, Michigan reviews that "It is inconceivable that someone his age and with neurological deficits would have such a profound, yet transient recovery," .Mankens further said that family members usually report even the slightest improvement to medical staff. "It surprises me that such an event would not be documented in the medical record, much less reported to the medical staff," . The former Chief Justice of India , AM Ahmadi, in his personal stand, upheld the validity of Khuzaima Qutbuddin as the rightful successor.[9]
"Syedna Qutbuddin’s family had shared certain historical documents with me, some of which are written in Arabic, in which historical facts about the community and the events since the nass (choosing the successor) conferred by Syedna Burhanuddin on Syedna Qutbuddin in 1965 have been recorded. I examined the documents and believe that Syedna Qutbuddin’s stand of the 53rd Dai is principled,"
—Ahmadi, The former Chief Justice of India
Forced Allegiance[edit]
There are various reports that Mufaddal has taken over the administration using threat and intimidation.[10] Also the Bohras who support Khuzaima are being forced to swear allegiance to Muffadal using social boycott and threats of divorce between married couples[2] :.
Sakina’s husband was okay with her belief in Qutbuddin, but the local jamaat insisted that she leave her marital home. Her in-laws and husband succumbed. The second woman, a professional, had just had her nikaah solemnised; now, her in-laws have told her to choose between her belief and her husband.
—Reported threats of divorce in Punemirror
Ceremony Video[edit]
The video of the alleged succession (nuss) ceremony is available.[11] The original video was uploaded on Youtube[12] but was later removed on accusation of copyright violation by Jameat Saifiya currently under control of Mufaddal. However the video has been available in other places.[13][3] The sons of Khuzaima claim the video was uploaded by them showing that nothing conceivable was uttered in that ceremony to prove that no formal announcement to the effect had been made by the late Syedna[3][2]
Press Conference declares Neutral Stance[edit]
A press conference was organised by Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community which is represented by intellectuals in the community recommended taking a neutral stance in wake of the succession controversy, not taking side of any of the claimants.:[14]
"Over the last ten days we have been witness to the ugly dispute over the right successor to the late Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb. This was not unexpected, as the late Syedna Saheb had been unable to clearly nominate his successor for nearly 50 years while he was alive. The claim of both his so-called successors is shrouded in mystery and ambiguity, as there are no reliable and disinterested witnesses to their nomination. The community is therefore both in a dilemma and distress, and is greatly agitated. For nearly 200 years there was no such problem, as the succession was monopolized within one family, with either the brother or the son being nominated by his predecessor. However, now, the stakes are quite high. An unbelievably large amount of wealth has been accumulated over the last hundred years through extortion and exploitation. The dispute is, therefore, not religious as claimed by both the claimants, but for the control of this wealth. Nathwani and Tewatia Commissions in the 1970s and 1990s have fully documented the various modes of this accumulation, and how this wealth is spent on the luxurious lifestyle of one family, and not for the benefit of the community. The Central Board warns both the claimants that if they do not change with the changing times, become liberal, stop malpractices and loosen their control over a docile and peaceful community, they will be consigned to the dustbins of history."
— Official statement of Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community
Court Case against Mufaddal Saifuddin[edit]
Late Syedna's half brother Khuzaima moved High Court claiming the position of 53rd dai and to restrict Mufaddal from discharging the duties as the 53rd Dai. The prime contention of the 700-page petition to high court is to have Khuzaima Qutbuddin, the half brother, legally declared as the 53rd Dai-al-Mutlaq of the 12-lakh strong Bohra community, and simultaneously to restrain his nephew, Mufaddal Saifuddin, from acting as the Dai.[3]
References[edit]
^ Jump up to: a b Rizwan Mawani (30 January 2014). "The Intricacies of Succession: Two Claimants Emerge for Dawoodi Bohra Leadership". Huffington Post. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Late Syedna ‘too ill to have spoken coherently’". Mumbai Mirror. 2011-06-01. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Dawoodi Bohra succession battle takes legal turn" (in (Danish)). Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
Jump up ^ DNA - Successor to Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin named
Jump up ^ "A perilous transition". Mumbai Mirror. 2014-01-24. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
Jump up ^ Dawoodi Bohras welcome nomination of successor
Jump up ^ "Dawat-e-Hadiyah Website Administered by the Office of Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin TUS, Leader of the Dawoodi Bohra Community". Fatemi Dawat. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
Jump up ^ "Who is new Syedna? Trouble brews as half-brother stakes claim". The Indian Express. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
Jump up ^ [1],Dawoodi Bohra succession issue: former chief justice pledges allegiance to Syedna’s uncle
Jump up ^ "Bohras who refuse to denounce Qutbuddin face boycott, threats". Mumbai Mirror. 2014-02-19. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
Jump up ^ "succession video removed • Dawoodi Bohra Forum". Dawoodi-bohras.com. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
Jump up ^ "YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
Jump up ^
https://tune.pk/video/1969681/Raudat-Ta ... ajab-1432H][
http://dawoodi-bohras.com/forum/viewtop ... f=1&t=9310
Jump up ^
http://afternoondc.in/city-news/50k-daw ... cle_102015. Retrieved 28 February 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mufaddal_ ... ontroversy