New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the religious head of Dawoodi Bohra community, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, at a mosque in Indore on Friday and addressed the community members.
"The concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam gives a distinct identity to India from the rest of the world and the Bohra community is an example of it," Modi said.
Here are things to know about Dawoodi Bohra community:
Dawoodi Bohras, a sub sect within the Ismaili branch of Shia Islam, are traders hailing predominantly from Gujarat.
They are a business community reputed for their image of being wealthy, progressive and incredibly close-knit.
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Around 2.5 lakh Dawoodi Bohras are estimated to live in Madhya Pradesh, mainly in Indore, Ujjain and Burhanpur districts.
The Bohra population in India is estimated to be more 5 lakh with an equal number of diasporic members settled across the world.
Why PM Modi addressed them?
The prime minister's visit here also assumes significance as Assembly polls are due in the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh by year-end.
Mufaddal Saifuddin, the current Syedna, and son of the former spiritual leader of the community -- the late Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin who died in January 2014 – has close ties with Modi, and ever since the BJP came to power at the Cemtre he has been asking community members to support Modi in his initiatives.
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Scroll.in had earlier reported that it was the Syedna’s warmth towards Modi and talk of development that led to a change in perception within the community.
Thousands of community members have arrived here from various parts of the world to hear their religious head's sermons.
