The Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed a 2014 suit challenging the position and appointment of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin as the leader of the Dawoodi Bohra Community.

The court has "only decided on the issue of proof and not faith," a single bench of Justice Gautam Patel said and dismissed the suit initially filed by Khuzaima Qutbuddin soon after his brother and the then Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin passed away in January 2014 at the age of 102.

Burhanuddin's second son Mufaddal Saifuddin then took over as the Syedna.

In 2016, after Qutbuddin passed away, his son Taher Fakhruddin took over the suit claiming his father had conferred the powers on him.

The suit sought the court to restrain Saifuddin from discharging his duties as Syedna.

Qutbuddin had in his suit claimed his brother Burhanuddin appointed him as the mazoon (second in command) and privately anointed him as his successor through a secret "nass" (conferment of succession), prior to the mazoon announcement on December 10, 1965.

Fakhruddin claimed that his father before dying conferred and appointed him for the position.

Justice Patel, while dismissing the suit, said, "I don't want any upheavals. I have kept the judgment as neutral as possible. I have only decided on the issue of proof and not faith."

The Dawoodi Bohras are a religious denomination among Shia Muslims.

Traditionally a community of traders and entrepreneurs, it has more than 5 lakh members in India and over 10 lakh across the world. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
The community's top religious leader is known as the Dai-al-Mutlaq (most senior).

As per faith and Dawoodi Bohra doctrine, a successor is appointed through "divine inspiration".

A "nass" can be conferred upon any deserving member of the community and not necessarily a family member of the current Dai, although the latter is often the practice.

The suit had sought the HC to restrain Saifuddin from acting as the Dai-al-Mutlaq.

It also sought an entry to Saifi Manzil, the house of the Syedna in Mumbai, alleging that Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin had taken over the leadership role in a "fraudulent manner".

Qutbuddin claimed that after Burhanuddin became the new Dai-al-Mutlaq, taking over from his father Syedna Taher Saifuddin in 1965, he publicly appointed his half brother as the mazoon (second in command) and privately anointed him as his successor through a secret nass.

Burhanuddin asked him to keep the private nass a secret, Qutbuddin claimed. He maintained that he abided by the oath of secrecy given to him by the 52nd Dai till his death.

Syedna Saifuddin opposed the suit, claiming the nass of 1965 lacked witnesses and could not be accepted.

He claimed that as per the established and prevalent doctrines of the Dawoodi Bohra faith, nass could be changed and revoked.

As per the Syedna's claims, on June 4, 2011, the 52nd Dai conferred nass on Syedna Saifuddin in the presence of witnesses at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital in London, where he was admitted after suffering a stroke.

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed a 2014 suit challenging the position and appointment of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin as the leader of the Dawoodi Bohra Community.

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed a 2014 suit challenging the position and appointment of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin as the leader of the Dawoodi Bohra Community. The court has "only decided on the issue of proof and not faith," a single bench of Justice Gautam Patel said and dismissed the suit initially filed by Khuzaima Qutbuddin soon after his brother and the then Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin passed away in January 2014 at the age of 102. Burhanuddin's second son Mufaddal Saifuddin then took over as the Syedna. In 2016, after Qutbuddin passed away, his son Taher Fakhruddin took over the suit claiming his father had conferred the powers on him. The suit sought the court to restrain Saifuddin from discharging his duties as Syedna. Qutbuddin had in his suit claimed his brother Burhanuddin appointed him as the mazoon (second in command) and privately anointed him as his successor through a secret "nass" (conferment of succession), prior to the mazoon announcement on December 10, 1965. Fakhruddin claimed that his father before dying conferred and appointed him for the position. Justice Patel, while dismissing the suit, said, "I don't want any upheavals. I have kept the judgment as neutral as possible. I have only decided on the issue of proof and not faith." The Dawoodi Bohras are a religious denomination among Shia Muslims. Traditionally a community of traders and entrepreneurs, it has more than 5 lakh members in India and over 10 lakh across the world. The community's top religious leader is known as the Dai-al-Mutlaq (most senior). As per faith and Dawoodi Bohra doctrine, a successor is appointed through "divine inspiration". A "nass" can be conferred upon any deserving member of the community and not necessarily a family member of the current Dai, although the latter is often the practice. The suit had sought the HC to restrain Saifuddin from acting as the Dai-al-Mutlaq. It also sought an entry to Saifi Manzil, the house of the Syedna in Mumbai, alleging that Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin had taken over the leadership role in a "fraudulent manner". Qutbuddin claimed that after Burhanuddin became the new Dai-al-Mutlaq, taking over from his father Syedna Taher Saifuddin in 1965, he publicly appointed his half brother as the mazoon (second in command) and privately anointed him as his successor through a secret nass. Burhanuddin asked him to keep the private nass a secret, Qutbuddin claimed. He maintained that he abided by the oath of secrecy given to him by the 52nd Dai till his death. Syedna Saifuddin opposed the suit, claiming the nass of 1965 lacked witnesses and could not be accepted. He claimed that as per the established and prevalent doctrines of the Dawoodi Bohra faith, nass could be changed and revoked. As per the Syedna's claims, on June 4, 2011, the 52nd Dai conferred nass on Syedna Saifuddin in the presence of witnesses at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital in London, where he was admitted after suffering a stroke.

Dawoodi Bohra succession row: High Court dismisses suit against appointment of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin

As he wraps up his state visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make a stop in Egypt on June 24 and 25. During his visit to Egypt, the two countries will strengthen the ties and boost co-operation in many fields, including security, trade, investment and more. 
 
While the diplomatic talks between the two countries go on, PM Modi will visit&nbsp;the Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah mosque on June 24.&nbsp;It is located in the Egyptian capital Cairo. It is the fourth oldest mosque in Egypt and the second largest after the mosque of ibn Tulun.

The Al-Hakim-Amr Allah mosque was constructed under&nbsp;the Fatimid dynasty. The sixth Fatimid Caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah gave orders to build the mosque in 990 AD.

Watch | PM Modi in US: India and US announces strategic and defence deals

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The centuries-old structure has stood the test of time. But the passage of it has not been kind to the structure. When French armed forces were in Egypt, they used the mosque as a barrack.&nbsp;

The mosque was restored by Dawoodi Bohra community in Cairo with help from Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

<h2>So why exactly is PM Modi visiting this mosque?</h2>

The mosque is an important religious site for Dawoodi Bohra community. India has a large population of Dawoodi Bohra community. Besides, PM Modi has a connect with the community. His home state of Gujarat has Dawoodi Bohra population. PM Modi has often thanked the community for helping him govern the state of Gujarat.

In 2011, when he was chief minister of Gujarat, he invited the community to celebrate the 100th birthday of their religious head Syedna Burhanuddin. When Syedna passed away in 2014, Modi went to Mumbai to pay his respects and meet the successor Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, who is the current head of the community. PM Modi has always shared cordial relationship with Syedna Saifuddin.

PM Modi has often praised business acumen of the community and their social reforms measures. He has also mentioned how the community helped and hosted Mahatma Gandhi during Dandi March, an iconic event in India's freedom struggle.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-addresses-top-ceos-in-us-underlines-impact-of-indian-americans-at-luncheon-608004">PM Modi addresses top CEOs in US, underlines impact of Indian-Americans at luncheon</a>

The community has supported PM Modi as well. In 2014, the community turned up in good numbers for PM Modi's overseas events. These events included one in Madison Square Garden (New York) and Olympic Park Arena in Sydney.

PM Modi's visit to Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah mosque is likely to strengthen his bond with the Dawoodi Bohra community. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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As he wraps up his state visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make a stop in Egypt on June 24 and 25. During his visit to Egypt, the two countries will strengthen the ties and boost co-operation in many fields, including security, trade, investment and more.

As he wraps up his state visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make a stop in Egypt on June 24 and 25. During his visit to Egypt, the two countries will strengthen the ties and boost co-operation in many fields, including security, trade, investment and more. While the diplomatic talks between the two countries go on, PM Modi will visit the Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah mosque on June 24. It is located in the Egyptian capital Cairo. It is the fourth oldest mosque in Egypt and the second largest after the mosque of ibn Tulun. The Al-Hakim-Amr Allah mosque was constructed under the Fatimid dynasty. The sixth Fatimid Caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah gave orders to build the mosque in 990 AD. Watch | PM Modi in US: India and US announces strategic and defence deals × The centuries-old structure has stood the test of time. But the passage of it has not been kind to the structure. When French armed forces were in Egypt, they used the mosque as a barrack. The mosque was restored by Dawoodi Bohra community in Cairo with help from Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. So why exactly is PM Modi visiting this mosque? The mosque is an important religious site for Dawoodi Bohra community. India has a large population of Dawoodi Bohra community. Besides, PM Modi has a connect with the community. His home state of Gujarat has Dawoodi Bohra population. PM Modi has often thanked the community for helping him govern the state of Gujarat. In 2011, when he was chief minister of Gujarat, he invited the community to celebrate the 100th birthday of their religious head Syedna Burhanuddin. When Syedna passed away in 2014, Modi went to Mumbai to pay his respects and meet the successor Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, who is the current head of the community. PM Modi has always shared cordial relationship with Syedna Saifuddin. PM Modi has often praised business acumen of the community and their social reforms measures. He has also mentioned how the community helped and hosted Mahatma Gandhi during Dandi March, an iconic event in India's freedom struggle. Also Read | PM Modi addresses top CEOs in US, underlines impact of Indian-Americans at luncheon The community has supported PM Modi as well. In 2014, the community turned up in good numbers for PM Modi's overseas events. These events included one in Madison Square Garden (New York) and Olympic Park Arena in Sydney. PM Modi's visit to Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah mosque is likely to strengthen his bond with the Dawoodi Bohra community. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

PM Modi will visit mosque in Cairo during Egypt trip, here's what's special about it

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Dawoodi Bohra succession row: High Court dismisses suit against appointment of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin

PM Modi will visit mosque in Cairo during Egypt trip, here's what's special about it