News: Bohra community in UAE mourns leader’s death

The Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community in the UAE is mourning the loss of their spiritual leader, Dr Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin, who they considered as their father and a beacon of light.

When the community in the UAE heard news of their leader’s passing on yesterday morning- Fri.Jan.17, they flocked to their respective masjids and, following Friday prayers, recited the Quran and offered prayers.

“All are in mourning. Thousands of people are leaving for Mumbai to pay their last respects,” an officer in the community told Gulf News on Friday. He said he managed to book a flight to Mumbai for Saturday afternoon since all the flights to Mumbai had been fully booked since Friday.

“In him, we have lost our own father. It was he who blessed me 35 years ago to travel to the emirates to earn a living. He was a beacon of light to all,” the officer said.

18,000-strong community will observe 10-day mourning period for spiritual icon.