Boomerang

[S. Insaf]

Boomerang
Taste of their own madicine
Our last two Dais, Syedna Taher Saifuddin and Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin as Dai-ul-Mutlaque opted for absolute powers, though according to Fatemi Imams' instructions they were required to shun power and live in simplicity as pious, honest and men of character. As the heads of the community it was their duty to lead the followers on the path of Islam and Allah. But in violation of this ordinance the Syedna Taher Saifuddin acquired community's wealth and properties by force and started living like a monarch in luxurious places declaring himself "Bohra Sultan and his family "Royal Family" and members of the family as price and princess, thus openly distancing himself from Islam and Bohra faith.
Due to their absolute power, the arrogance and high-handedness became the main features of their family and their administration. They compelled the believers to treat them as their Lord and Master (Aqa Maula) and themselves as their slaves (Abde-Syedna).
This was a well thought-out plan to amass wealth on large scale and remain unquestionable. Soon the entire community was under the visible dictatorship; all in the name of Islam and Ismailism. They also widely spread hatred in the peace-loving community in the name of oath of allegiance (Misaq) to Dai and Raza (permission). These innovations resulted in clashes and violent attacks, creating disorder and law and order situations and prolonged court cases.
By continuous overflowing of unquestionable wealth in last 100 years, today the Dawat has assumed such dangerous posture that Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin Saheb dared not to announce his successor in his life time because of the safety of his own life. He knew that if he announces his successor openly the next day he would be done away with. No surprise that he advised his mazoon to keep the "Nass" secret till he had gone and buried. And now the life of his Mazoon is in danger.
The ruthless behavior and repressive and exploitative policies of Syedna Taher Saifuddin gave birth to reformist section in the community.
Reformist Bohras are Dawoodi Bohras by birth. They are firm believers of Islam and Shia Ismaili Musta'li Tayebi faith. They are the members of the same Dawoodi Bohra community and not outsiders. They have the courage to raise heads against repressive policies of their Dais. Not a single reformist has ever claimed for any position in the Bohra religious hierarchy. Right from the day one, the reformist Bohras are struggling for the liberation of the suffering majority of Dawoodi Bohras from the clutches of religious oppressors and extortionists. Their demands are for the sack of community for accountability, transparency in the management of Dawat administration and abolition of the recent innovations like Raza system, Oath of allegiance (Misaq) for Dai, self-will excommunications in the civil matters, restrictions of dress code, e-jamat cards, stoppage of burials and marriages etc. Their fight is not for self gain or glory. Their fight is for pure and simple spiritual, social and economic advancement of the entire community.
Yet the reformist Bohras were humiliated, persecuted and terrorized, as Mazoon-e-Dawat, Syedi Khuzema Bhaisaheb Qutbuddin and his followers are meted out today.
The reformist Bohras were declared "Enemies of Dawat, Dai and Religion", as Mazoon-e-Dawat is cursed today by calling him "Enemies of Dawat, Dai and Religion". Though he is a son of Syedna Taher Saifuddin. He is a respectable a member of the "Royal family, not an outsider.
The reformist Bohras were physically attacked, their houses and offices were ransacked. After the announcement setting up of Justice Nathwani Inquiry Commission reformist leader Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer was murderously attacked at Calcutta, Hydrabad and Cairo. After the Commission's report was made public Dr. Asghar Ali was again attacked at Mumbai airport and his house and office were ransacked, though Dr. Asghar Ali was a son of Syedna's Amil Shaikh Qurban Husain Sajapurwala. The commission report has labeled very serious charges against the Syedna but surprisingly no one from Syedna's side has not challenge it on any forum.
The reformist Bohras were not allowed to express themselves, to explain their position and their demands. Their voice was throttled and their meetings and conferences are violently opposed and disturbed. The same harassments are caused today to Mazoon-e-Dawat, his family and well-wishers. On 12, March 2014 two sons, Abdeali Bhaisaheb and Aziz Bhaisaheb and supporters of Mazoon-e-Dawat first time decided to address a press gathering at the Trident Hotel in Mumbai. They wanted to express their views / plans on the 53rd Dai ul-Mutlaq. They were forced to cancel the press conference by the Oberoi Management under threat from Mufaddal's group and they had to move to another venue, far away in Bandra. The manager of Trident Hotel, Mr. Swami said that they got threats from several Bohras and 20-30 Bohras came to the hotel and started shouting abuses at the Reception staff. They had to call the police for the safety of the hotel and their customers. He also said that the Anjuman Shite-e-Ali secretary called prior to this incident saying that if Trident Hotel allows the press conference then they will blacklist the hotel from all future room bookings especially in Moharram. This is nothing but a Gunda Raj.
Thousands of reformists' families are broken. The parents are separated from their children. Wives from their husbands. Sisters from their brothers. Not only that that they are compelled to hate and curse each other but they are also coerced not to keep any relation with them. For example in Udaipur an old Dawoodi Bohra who was sympathizer of the reform movement died. His son was not allowed to take part in his father's last rites. Not only that but he was compelled to marry on the same day in order to express his joy at the demise of his father.
And look how the tyrants are paying for their crimes. On 17th January 2014 when Syedna Burhanuddin passed away his second in command, Mazoon-e-Dawat wrote to Mukasir-e-Dawat that he wants to participate in his brother and Dai's last rites but he was not allowed. Not only that, till today Mazoon-e-Dawat is not allowed to do Ziyarat of his bother though thousands of Bohras from all over are gathered every day at Rozat Tahera.
Now see Mufaddal's agony! Mazoon Saheb's two daughters Arwa and Fatema are married to Mufaddal's two sons Taha and Ibrahim. Today the fathers are separated from their children as Arwa and Fatema have fled from their husbands' Saifee Mahal and joined back their father along with their children fearing for their and their children's lives. The children are safe with their uncle Taher Bhaisaheb in USA. Mufaddal is grappling with the situation as the children have been sent to US, where Indian laws do not apply. According to sources, he is in talks with his lawyers to find a way to claim custody of the children.
Meanwhile Mazoon's sons have already recorded the statements of the Hotel management and staff and they are going to lodge a "Criminal Case" against Mufaddal. They have also obtained relevant documents from London hospital to show that the ailing Syedna Burhanuddin was in position to declare "Nass" on Mufaddal. We have to wait for "Court Case" or another press conference.
In short the Dawoodi Bohra priesthood's repressive policy has boomeranged on them. Earlier the Bohra Reformists were called "Shaitan" and "Enemy of Dai and religion" and they were hated and cursed. Today the treatment is meted out to Mazoon-e-Dawat and brother of the Syedna. Mufaddal is feeling the loss and separation of his grandchildren.
As I said earlier we know exactly what's happening in our community. In private we do criticise this system constantly, but when it comes to oppose or show our resentment we all start saving our skins and allow the system to rot more and more.
Our so-called religious and spiritual leaders are deep rooted in corruption fooling people, bribing shady government officials, greedy politicians, dishonest builders, land sharks, illegal documents manipulators. Our unqualified undeserving religious heads are destroying this fine community from within. They are not just robbing us, they are destroying our institutions, subverting Shariah laws, vandalising our heritage and history, and trying to build an amoral edifice of crime and corruption unprecedented in the community's history. It's a scary scenario.

History exacts events in its own uncanny ways, and spares non for their misdeed. The arrogant and evil dwellers of Saifee Mahal will find it out now, if they have not become deaf and blind. For sure, in the days to come history will do unto them what they have done to others.

[ARB]

Insha Allah!

"Three things cannot be hidden for long - the Sun, the Moon, and the Truth" ~~ Buddha

[ghulam muhammed]

One more similarity :-

The reformists have always been saying 'Choke their "Money" pipeline and they will vanish'.......... If SKQ succeeds in court and if he is able to choke this pipeline then it will be a dream come true.

[alam]

Insaafbhai gives a good picture and context.

Sometimes it takes more than one or two or three or four battles before peace or justice is restored among warring nations.For the Dawoodi Bohra situation in the 20th and 21st century, the reform movement and the present succession dispute is really a Jihad as follows - between:

Justice vs Injustice
Persuasion Vs Coercion
Forgiveness vs Punishment/condemnation
Inclusion vs Exclusion
Love vs Hatred/baraat
Ilm and Knowledge vs Blind unconditional obedience
Transparency vs Accountability
Prayer to Allah vs Hero-worshipping
Equality vs Inequality (privileged priestly class, $$$sheikhs, women education)

History has shown us that in the larger scheme of things, Good triumphs Evil, and truth always sustains over falsehood.

The reform movement that started 50+ years ago must never end, at least not any time soon. It is a movement required as a system for checks and balances, for holding the powers to be, whoever they are, (the Dai, the priestly class, SMS, SKQ or the local jamaats) accountable, and to prevent abuses as we have seen over the last century.