The future of Dawoodi Bohra Community?

[S. Insaf]

First the industrialization and the technological advancement have greatly affected the society, family life, economics, education, traditional values, religious practices and state policies. The architecture, language, dress, literature, arts, food habits, lifestyle every aspect of our life is affected. However Kothar may try, the Bohras can not remain unaffected from their influence.
On the other hand the education curriculum in the Jamiyah, community run madressas and schools does not fulfill the needs of present age and practical life. Only the middle and lower classes are interested in their education. Mostly it produces unprofessional half-educated persons, who lack self-respect and self-confidence. They are taught to submit to the authority without reasoning and questioning. They are easily manipulated by the vested interest groups. They become dependent and prone to exploitation. They generate typical religious orthodox mentality. Here “ilm” means only enabling students to read the Quran in Arabic. They are not in favour of imparting English, science and modern education. Mostly they lay emphasis on external forms of rituals and individual worshipping. It does not give skills, knowledge and capacity for creativity. The student graduating from here end up as “Mullas”, “Amils” in local mosques or ruthless exploitators, completely isolated and with no knowledge of the world around them. They have little understanding about the essence of the Quran and their own faith and unable to relate the teachings in solving basic problems that people face.
The Kothar wants to develop their own followers, who will work for them and will comply with their policies and dictates. They have interest in money-making and usually give preference to culture dislocation, ignoring Islamic ideology and personal and psychological malaise.

This situation is increasing frustration among the Dawoodi Bohra youth. And they are alienated from religion and traditional values. They are interested in the widespread use of audio-visual and electronic media, print media, film, internet, satellite communication etc. Glamorous and luxurious life enjoyed by Kothar’s Sultan, Shahzadas and Shahzadis is also affecting the mentality of Bohra youth to some how accumulate wealth and dominate others.
Kothar is also increasing their frustration by humiliating and undermining their efforts by taking all the credits to themselves.

The question then is:-
What is the future of Dawoodi Bohra Community in this scenario and in this fast moving world?

[babu]

Well you can say in this way too ...
" TERA KYA HOGA KAALIYA ? "

[truebohra]

Mr Insaf,
Future of dawoodi bohras is very bright. progessing in Deen & Duniya.
I HOPE U GOT THE ANSWER

[ShiaNumberOne]

truebohra
Please open your eyes. I come from a medium sized jamaat in the U.S., but I can name off the the top of my head 4-5 bohra girls and boyz who don't want anything to do with the bohra idealogy. I think this is the reason why the kothar has started this taaruf business cause there seems to be an uptick in interfatih marriages going on, especially in the west. I can only speak on personal experiences. If anyone has any comments please post.

[SBM]

Shianumberone
You are right one of the Jammat in Southern part of USA has their children married out of not only Bohra community but totally out of Muslim community. Incidentally their fathers are either Shaikh or Mulla and very active with Kothari causes

[like_minded]

The future of dawoodi bohra community looks very very bleak.

The rate at which the young generation is sucked into submission is indeed very alarming.

[Gulf]

Heya! wanna tell you somtin..
why to worry about future??whereas you dont even know what is going to be heppened to you by tomorrow?? one has to live only in present for just to pray to almighty Allah with guidence of Dai-al-mutlaq and let the future due to Allah, susequently the comunity future from which one belong to, will be bright and then brightest. period.gotta go.

[jayanti]

Insaf,one of your leg is in grave and another one on earth better you start do good deeds look for your self.Mr engg or Mr raj is not going to help you. Whats the AMIL NAME or you just killing time on this forums making up stories. Y dont u write stories for indian film industries.

[SBM]

Hey Jayanti Aunti
When are you going to tell us about your real identitty. What is your real name and which city do you reside?
BE BRAVE AND TELL US SO LOCAL AAMIL CAN RECOMMEND YOU FOR TITLES

[Aarif]

This is a good topic.. But there is a lot more to it than it meets the eye. Well the bohra community was and is always considered as a physically weak community that resulted mainly from conversion of hindus into Islam. In the past i.e. 50-60 years back Indian economy had just started to grow and there was scope for small scale businesses to prosper. This is when the bohra community because of their good business sense and ethics made good progress. However, the side effects of this progress was underestimation of good education. The younger bohra generation got ready made shops and offices from their parents and did not had to work hard for anything. Since, the business was all set for them, they did not see a need to study either. This resulted in a high illiteracy rate among bohri men. On the other hand the bohri girls started getting more and more into education. This is one of the biggest reasons of marriages outside community due to lack of suitable qualified candidates within the community. Apart from that the bohris have not retained much of traditional values either as far as marriages are concerned. Parents of educated girls have developed a lot of attitude resulting in girls remaining unmarried for a long period of time or ending up with quick divorces. I knew about a girl who was studying engineering and was engaged to a BCOM guy. She used to feel ashamed telling her friends about her Fiancee's education. Finally she broke the engagement.

Apart from that now due to high demand of qualified professionals all over the world and decline in small scale businesses due to changes in the economic models, bohri community needs to change their outlook and embrace education instead of discouraging people from doing so. Syedna and kothar can encourage people to go for higher education instead of running shops and gullas... However, whether they will do so is highly doubtful. As far as Jamia is concerned I think bohris studying at Jamia represents a very minuscle part of the community and can be safely ignored. It is the mainstream bohris who need to seriously come out of the small business model and get serious about education if they want to survive in this competitive world. But looking at the education quality of ortho bohris like Gulp, Jai Aunty etc. the future looks pretty bleak...

[ShiaNumberOne]

Actually I would disagree with the above. Moula does encourage education among his followers. If a student comes to him and can not decide what studies to pursue Moula will usually reply do medicine due to the nobility of the profession.
I think in the West it is different. Most of the young generation is becoming more and more educated. In my jamaat there are 5 medical students, but about half of them don't come regularly.
I wonder though if the Kothar encourages their Western followers to do medicine and their followers in the India and Pakistan to run a small business. In the West jobs in health care are stable and provide high incomes, which helps the Kothar when it comes to fund raising for whatever dubious or nondubious purpose. In India and Pakistan the quick road to wealth is usually being your own boss, so the Kothar encourages that.

[Aarif]

Actually I would disagree with the above. Moula does encourage education among his followers.

When I was studying in India, once, during ramzaan one janab came to our house because my parents had invited him. He asked me what I was doing and I told him that I was studying in college. He adviced me that I should not study too much and than do a job. In fact I should just complete my graduation and start some business of my own. I asked him why should I do that?? He told me that "Aqa Moula nu farmaan che. Mumineen ne toh vyaipar karwo joiye. Moula Naukri karwaanu naa khe che."

[Smart]

Bohras are actively discouraged from education, because it is the cause of disaffection and opening of eyes among the youngsters.

Their standard dialogue is:
Sikhi ne su karwanu che? Chelle dukanej besse ne? Ghanu sikhvathi, chokrao bigdi jaye che. Ulta sidha sawaal kare che. Deen thi door thaye che. Lakhta, vachta ane hisab karta avdi gayu ke bas. Apne to vepari kaum che.

As a teacher of bohra youngsters this is the statement I have heard from many parents.

Broad education, which leads to thinking amongst the youngsters is avoided like the plague.

[Smart]

The future of the community is very bleak.

The Bohras are a bunch of sheep, being led to their slaughter. Right now they are just being bled. However the fact is that their shepherd is now very very old, but is unable to name a successor. This is because of vested interests in the inner circles and the infighting that goes on.

What is bound to happen is that after the death of the present incumbent, the thieves will fall out.

This will lead to the break of the Taheris in 3 or 4 sub sects, fighting over the ownership of property.

What the progressives, need to do is prepare for this scenario and capture them one by one.

History is witness to this sort of a thing happening in India. The British, a very small group of people, managed to rule over India, precisely by this method.

This prediction will come true soon. just wait and see.

[Humsafar]

It's true that education is actively discouraged at least among Indian/Pakistani Bohras. But I don't think education or a lack of it is the only issue here. Although education in its formal sense is useful for practical matters it is not enough or even necessary to "awaken" bohras from their slavery. I've seen highly educated people - East and West - who blindly follow diktats of the Kothar and are part and parcel of the system. On the other hand, I've also met Bohras not so educated and not so literate who have seen through the game and stand up to local amils and other jamaat bullies.

The point is, yes it would be good to have Bohras educated but it is no guarantee for liberation. There's so much sociology and psychology that goes into making Bohras what they are. The mohalla culutre - though it has its positive aspects - the close-knit social and religious network, rituals and jamans and so many other sundry day to day activities creates a kind of ghetto mentality and peer pressure that it becomes difficult for a lone individual or family to challenge the established norms, and almost impossible to break out of the system. Of course, there are exceptions but generally people keep to the straight and narrow as defined by the dominant culture. This is of course human nature and nothing unique to the Bohras.

So long as individuals or families are left to their own devices, no matter how highly educated they are, they cannot hope to make any dent to the system without larger support and solidarity from other community members. In other words, they need to organise. Yes education - secular and religious - will help but it is not enough. Also, Bohras need guts. Education can't give you that. If at all, it makes you more "reasonable" and furnishes you with a hundred justifications not to upset the applecart.

[Aarif]

There two things one needs to consider out here:

1) Education to acheive prosperity in modern world. And I think this is where the community needs to change its outlook towards education. Nowadays technical advancements have created a high demand for qualified professionals in many fields. If our community needs to prosper they have to join the bandwagon. Today success in life without proper education is not possible.

2) How education helps to overthrow the cruel system of Kothar is another thought which is mutualy exclusive from the first one. Here education might or might not help and one cannot give the guarantee for the same which is quite obvious. As there are many other factors involved in it apart from education.

[Humsafar]

Education to acheive prosperity in modern world.

That is debatable, and do not want to go into it.

[Aarif]

Education to acheive prosperity in modern world.

That is debatable, and do not want to go into it.

As far as I know everything is debatable..

[S. Insaf]

The Dawoodi Bohras especially Dawoodi Bohra women of Udaipur revolted in mass against the oppressive regime of Sayedna Burhanuddin and Yusuf Najmuddin and it is still a challenge to Sayedna’s mighty and influential empire. Udaipur provides an example for case study. How the education brings changes in the attitudes of individuals and makes them aware of their individual and democratic rights.
Bohra population in Udaipur is around 15,000. Upto 1947 they were doing their age-old small and middle level businesses. After the partition there was an inflow of Sindhi immigrants and a riot which adversely affected their economy. They started loosing their monopoly of business and were forced to explore other areas.
Fortunately Udaipur had good facility for modern education. Many of the Bohras realized the importance of education to enable them to secure government jobs. Within a decade there was hardly any Bohra family without a matriculate or a graduate in Udaipur. Dawoodi Bohras women also took to higher education. The education made them conscious of their rights and dignity which was enough to generate pressure in favour of change. They started refusing being treated as slaves by the dominating priesthood. It is important to remember the revolt centered on the exercising their democratic rights in the local municipal elections and not on any religious issue.
Earlier reformist did realized this and established first ever school for modern education in Burhanpur in the beginning of 20th century know as “Hakimiya Coronation High School and various educational conferences were held by them which were tooth and nail opposed by Sayedna Taher Saifuddin.
So in my opinion the proper modern education is must to bring about the meaningful change in the community.
For courageous opposition which is a rare thing in this community, awareness of individual rights is most important which can come through education.

[Hussain_KSA]

Syedna Burhanuddin is expected to visit Udaipur in second week of August. The stay is schedule to fornight.

[jayanti]

Insaf, when u r flying?

[Danish]

Originally posted by Humsafar:
Education to acheive prosperity in modern world.

That is debatable, and do not want to go into it.

I believe the word "education" has a very broad nomenclature, extremely confusing and often misunderstood and depends on how one defines it categorically.

There's a fine line that segregates education to wisdom or intelligence. I believe that basic elementary education/training is necessary (which obvioiusly ALL children go through) that eventually or ultimately may defines ones' intelligence OR wisdom (as in perception). Upbringing and evironment also plays a major role.

[S. Insaf]

Dear jayanti,
I will be in Udaipur from 7th August onwards. Can we meet there, in case you are coming with your Aqa Maula?

[jayanti]

Some another time Insaf, sure will meet.This March I was in Udaipur.Like the place and saw some of your people feel sorry for them.

[East Africawalla]

Mr Insaf, You need to look outside India to understand how the future of Dawoodi bohras is, there are very educated bohras in UK/USA who are in all the fields ie engineering, medical , pharmacetical , financial markets and at a very high positions and are part and parcel of the community.There are also bohoras in UK/USA/Africa who are doing very well in business (consumer products, chemist shops, manufacturing, IT ). Our community people are naturally pretty good in business and education and are doing very well.The new generation are all very educated and are picking up good positions in industry.I have been to India and even there there is a mixture but I saw a few people who are highly educated and in business and even in Mohallas doing resonable business, I agree that more should be done to enhance the community but my understanding is we are not doing badly compare to other communities.Please do not say that its all doom and gloom.

[Smart]

@ East Africawalla

Some individual bohras may be prospering, but it is the collective that makes the community.

The community is sick. There are no support systems in the community. Nothing for the weak, the destitute, the orphans, the widows, the sick and the desperate.

Look at history and you will realise that all big empires reached their heights of ayyashi, before their demise.

The hottest part of the day is just before the sunset. The longest shadows are cast even by the dwarfs, just before the sunset.

[East Africawalla]

Smart, which planet do you exist? look around you , its no use being doom and gloom , in every bohra community I have lived in people do help each other , I think you must be staying in a very different society to what I see, I agree that there are poor people but ussually us bohras help each other, We are such a community

[Smart]

@EA
Nobody can show you the truth, if you insist on keeping your eyes closed!

I am stating this from the facts that are clear to all persons with their eyes and minds open.

[shoaibih]

Aye Saifuddin Na Jani Ghanu Jeevo Ghanu Jeevo,
Mohammad Noor e Qudsani Ghanu Jeevo Ghanu Jeevo,

Aye Aqa Ap Par Sadqey Aye Maula Ap Par Qurban,
Kahey che Sagla Qudsani Ghanu Jeevo Ghanu Jeevo,

Kari didu Aa Dawat nu Chaman Phal Phool thi abad,
Pilawee Ilm na Pani Ghanu Jeevo Ghanu Jeevo,

Imam ul Asar ni Dawat na Khatir Mumineen Khatir,
Dua che eim Sagla ni Ghanu Jeevo Ghanu Jeevo,

Yamani Abde Khaki ni che Tasbeeh Raat Din Maula,
Zameen par Muki Peshani Ghanu Jeevo Ghanu Jeevo.

[Smart]

^
Another Taheri popat! mindlessly repeating nonsense!