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[[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.<ref name="DNA Nass Article">[http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_successor-to-syedna-mohammed-burhanuddin-named_1551640 DNA - Successor to Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin named]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/cover-story/A-perilous-transition/articleshow/29266169.cms |title=A perilous transition |publisher=Mumbai Mirror |date=2014-01-24 |accessdate=2014-04-04}}</ref> It was reported that at home the Dawoodi Bohra community welcomed the name of Mufaddal as the successor.<ref name="hindustantimes Nass Article" >[http://www.hindustantimes.com/Dawoodi-Bohras-welcome-nomination-of-successor/Article1-706589.aspx Dawoodi Bohras welcome nomination of successor]</ref> |
[[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.<ref name="DNA Nass Article">[http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_successor-to-syedna-mohammed-burhanuddin-named_1551640 DNA - Successor to Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin named]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/cover-story/A-perilous-transition/articleshow/29266169.cms |title=A perilous transition |publisher=Mumbai Mirror |date=2014-01-24 |accessdate=2014-04-04}}</ref> It was reported that at home the Dawoodi Bohra community welcomed the name of Mufaddal as the successor.<ref name="hindustantimes Nass Article" >[http://www.hindustantimes.com/Dawoodi-Bohras-welcome-nomination-of-successor/Article1-706589.aspx Dawoodi Bohras welcome nomination of successor]</ref> |
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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. Khuzaima Qutbuddin claims that Syedna had performed nass on him in private nearly 49 years ago while appointing him as Mazoon, that is the second in line, after the Syedna. <ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/who-is-new-syedna-trouble-brews-as-half-brother-stakes-claim/|title=Who is new Syedna? Trouble brews as half-brother stakes claim|date=6 February 2014|work=[[The Indian Express]]|accessdate=11 February 2014}}</ref> |
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. Khuzaima Qutbuddin claims that Syedna had performed nass on him in private nearly 49 years ago while appointing him as Mazoon, that is the second in line, after the Syedna. <ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/who-is-new-syedna-trouble-brews-as-half-brother-stakes-claim/|title=Who is new Syedna? Trouble brews as half-brother stakes claim|date=6 February 2014|work=[[The Indian Express]]|accessdate=11 February 2014}}</ref>. |
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⚫ | {{quote|"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]]}} |
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Khuzaima Qutbuddin never claimed to be the successor of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin during last three years (after/when [[Mufaddal Saifuddin]] was declared as successor) as per Mohammed Burhanuddin's instruction to keep the [[Nass (Islam)|nass]] secret and not disclose it to general public,<ref name="mumbaimirror">{{cite web|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/Qutbuddin-was-being-true-to-his-word-sons/articleshow/31860901.cms|title=Qutbuddin was being true to his word: sons - Mumbai Mirror|publisher=mumbaimirror.com|accessdate=2014-04-02}}</ref>, but in fact as per Hindustan Times(HT) Qutbuddin’s family had shared certain historical documents with meformer Chief Justice of India, [[AM Ahmadi]] before late syedna's demise and he wrote on the Nass: |
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{{quote| "Ahmadi, .... wrote to Qutbuddin’s family, even before the late Syedna’s demise this month, expressing his opinion and support, he told HT over the phone."<ref name="hindustantimes">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dawoodi-bohra-succession-issue-former-chief-justice-pledges-allegiance-to-syedna-s-uncle/article1-1178939.aspx.|title=Dawoodi Bohra succession issue: former chief justice pledges allegiance to Syedna’s uncle - Hindustan Times|publisher=hindustantimes.com|accessdate=2014-04-02}}</ref>}} |
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And in his personal stand, also upheld the validity of Khuzaima Qutbuddin as the rightful successor: |
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⚫ | {{quote| "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]].<ref name="hindustantimes2">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dawoodi-bohra-succession-issue-former-chief-justice-pledges-allegiance-to-syedna-s-uncle/article1-1178939.aspx|title=Dawoodi Bohra succession issue: former chief justice pledges allegiance to Syedna’s uncle - Hindustan Times|publisher=hindustantimes.com|accessdate=2014-04-02}}</ref>}}. |
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Khuzaima 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.<ref name="mumbaimirrorill"/><ref name="Huff Post">{{cite news | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rizwan-mawani/the-intricacies-of-succes_b_4687546.html | title=The Intricacies of Succession: Two Claimants Emerge for Dawoodi Bohra Leadership |work=Huffington Post | date=30 January 2014 | accessdate=11 February 2014 | author=Rizwan Mawani}}</ref><ref name="mumbaimirror1"/> A recent medical review report on succession issue of Mufaddal <ref name="mumbaimirrorill"/> 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," . |
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=== Forced Allegiance === |
=== Forced Allegiance === |
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Revision as of 11:44, 8 April 2014
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]
Succession controversy
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 welcomed the name of Mufaddal as the successor.[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. Khuzaima Qutbuddin claims that Syedna had performed nass on him in private nearly 49 years ago while appointing him as Mazoon, that is the second in line, after the Syedna. [7].
Khuzaima Qutbuddin never claimed to be the successor of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin during last three years (after/when Mufaddal Saifuddin was declared as successor) as per Mohammed Burhanuddin's instruction to keep the nass secret and not disclose it to general public,[8], but in fact as per Hindustan Times(HT) Qutbuddin’s family had shared certain historical documents with meformer Chief Justice of India, AM Ahmadi before late syedna's demise and he wrote on the Nass:
"Ahmadi, .... wrote to Qutbuddin’s family, even before the late Syedna’s demise this month, expressing his opinion and support, he told HT over the phone."[9]
And in his personal stand, also upheld the validity of Khuzaima Qutbuddin as the rightful successor:
"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.[10]
.
Khuzaima 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," .
Forced Allegiance
There are various reports that Mufaddal has taken over the administration using threat and intimidation.[11] Also the Bohras who support Khuzaima are being forced to swear allegiance to Muffadal using social boycott and threats of divorce between married couples[1] :.
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
Those who were vocal about their support to Qutbuddin claim they have faced tremendous harassment and social ostracism. “I had to move out of my house in [the Mumbai Bohra stronghold] Bhendi Bazar because I received a number of threat calls from community members when I went to visit Syedna Qutbuddin in Thane,” said a middle-aged businessman who did not wish to be identified. He now lives in a rented flat in Thane and claims that business at his shop, situated close to the Bohra-dominated Bhendi Bazar, is down to 30 per cent from three months ago.[2]
“But that’s not the only problem," added the businessman. "My family could not attend my father-in-law’s burial in January, because the community officials would have denied him a grave if they saw us,” added the businessman. “Two marriages in my family broke off because of the split and my friend’s son, who goes to a Bohra school, has been asked not to attend classes anymore and come straight for the exams instead.”[3]
Ceremony Video
The video of the alleged succession (nuss) ceremony is availableThe original video was uploaded on Youtube[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]
Azad Maidan Gathering and Press Conference
The grief stricken members of the community gathered to express their solidarity and to offer their condolences to their new spiritual leader
Around 50,000 members of the Dawoodi Bohra community on Thursday, gathered at Azad Maidan to endorse their solidarity and offer their condolences to their new spiritual leader, the 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin in Mumbai. The event was attended by grief stricken religious leaders, community scholars, professionals, business persons, students, women and children.
According to Khoozema M. Faizullabhoy, General Secretary, Anjuman-E-Shaite Ale, an association administrating and conducting the affairs of the Dawoodi Bohra Jamaat of Mumbai, “This is taking place while the community still mourns the demise of our spiritual leader. Mr. Khuzaima Qutbuddin, the late Syedna’s half brother and uncle of the present Syedna, has made a false claim to be the successor of the 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin. This wrongful claim has, thus, tremendously aggrieved the community members and has caused grave pain to each and every Dawoodi Bohra around the world, as they have witnessed the 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq publicly appoint his second son Syedna Mufaddal Saifudddin as his successor by conferring – Nass (investiture) in 2011 in Mumbai, and had also explicitly reaffirmed it on many occasions since several years.”
Faizullabhoy further added, “A representation was read out at the venue before a delegation of community leaders, and members of our association visited Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and presented it to him. It states the solidarity of members of the Dawoodi Bohra community in recognising and respecting the legitimate leadership of His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. Apart from Mumbai, Dawoodi Bohras across the world are expressing their sentiments of solidarity with their beloved spiritual leader and are praying for the long and healthy life of the present Syedna.”
Meanwhile, the Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community, spoke to the media on the succession controversy of the Syedna not taking side of any of the claimants and alleging dispute over wealth :
“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."
— Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community [12]
Court Case against Mufaddal Saifuddin
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]
Several community members interviewed welcomed the move to move to court on this issue saying “It is sad that we have to wash dirty linen in public, but the truth about the corruption in the community needs to come out,” said a Bohra from Mumbai, on the condition of anonymity. A Surat-based Bohra who wished to remain anonymous because he has not overtly pledged his support for Qutbuddin also welcomed the legal development.[4] “People are secretly happy about the High Court case because it will finally expose the corrupt practices that have been carried on by the late Syedna’s sons since the time he had fallen ill,” he noted[5]
Statements of influential third parties on the controversy
"Meanwhile, the self declared new leader of the Dawoodi Bohras, the late Syedna's son, has asked all followers of the Islamic sect to not only declare their allegiance to him but abuse his uncle who the Syedna had anointed as his spiritual heir 50 years back."
— Pritish Nandy in Bangalore Mirror[6]
References
- ^ a b Rizwan Mawani (30 January 2014). "The Intricacies of Succession: Two Claimants Emerge for Dawoodi Bohra Leadership". Huffington Post. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Late Syedna 'too ill to have spoken coherently'". Mumbai Mirror. 2011-06-01. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
- ^ a b c d e "Dawoodi Bohra succession battle takes legal turn" (in Template:Da icon). Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ DNA - Successor to Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin named
- ^ "A perilous transition". Mumbai Mirror. 2014-01-24. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
- ^ Dawoodi Bohras welcome nomination of successor
- ^ "Who is new Syedna? Trouble brews as half-brother stakes claim". The Indian Express. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
- ^ "Qutbuddin was being true to his word: sons - Mumbai Mirror". mumbaimirror.com. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "Dawoodi Bohra succession issue: former chief justice pledges allegiance to Syedna's uncle - Hindustan Times". hindustantimes.com. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "Dawoodi Bohra succession issue: former chief justice pledges allegiance to Syedna's uncle - Hindustan Times". hindustantimes.com. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ^ "Bohras who refuse to denounce Qutbuddin face boycott, threats". Mumbai Mirror. 2014-02-19. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
- ^ http://afternoondc.in/city-news/50k-dawoodi-bohras-gather-at-azad-maidan/article_102015. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
{{cite web}}
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