Progressive Dawoodi Bohra
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This section may stray from the topic of the article into the topic of another article, Mustaali. Please help improve this section or discuss this issue on the talk page. (help) |
The Mustaali (Arabic مستعلي) group of Ismaili Muslims are so named because they accepted the legitimacy of the Fatimid caliph Al-Musta'li, after Mustansir, and not Nizar, whom the Aga Khan group or Nizaris consider as their Imam. This group is also referred to as the Taiyabi or Tayyibi group (Arabic طيبي), named after the last Imam recognized by them, Taiyab abi al-Qasim. Originally, there was a distinction between Taiyabi Mustaalis and Hafizi Mustaalis (who recognized the Fatimid rulers of Egypt between 1130-1169 as legitimate Imams, not Taiyab abi al-Qasim). However the Hafizi Mustaali view lost all support after the downfall of the Fatimid dynasty in Egypt, and current-day Mustaalis are Taiyabis.
In 1592, a leadership struggle caused the Taiyabi Mustaalis to be split into Sulaimani (sometimes formerly also called Makramis) and Dawoodis. The Sulaimani Bohra (named after their 27th Dai Sulaiman bin Hassan) are mainly concentrated in Yemen, while the Dawoodi Bohras are strongest in Pakistan and India. Later, there was a further split in the Dawoodi Bohras sect and a new subsect formed the Alavi Bohras. The Dawoodi Bohra has split again as a smaller Progressive Dawoodi Bohra subsect has formed in 1980s.
Progressive Dawoodi Bohras are engaged in a struggle to bring about social reform in the community. We challenge the authoritarian ways of the priesthood and not the religious authority of the Da'i (high priest).
Our struggle is rooted in the Islamic ideals of justice and accountability, and it is our conviction that there's more to being a Dawoodi Bohra than most of us have been led to believe. Our aim is not merely to lay bare the corruption of the priesthood but also to remind ourselves of what our true history is and how it is being destroyed.
However, it's not just our history, our religion and our way of life that's under attack. Common people and common resources everywhere are daily being laid waste by big corporations, self-centered ruling classes and obscurantist despots.
Our world is beset with problems, problems that are as intractable as they are complex and overwhelming. But then, where there's cruelty and unreason there's also compassion and intellect. And, not to forget that the human spirit, untamed by centuries of oppression, is always our steadfast ally. It's not for nothing that people continue to fight for their rights in the face of tremendous odds and at the cost of unimaginable personal sacrifice.
We are of the belief that though our struggle is unique in many ways, it is yet intertwined with other peoples' struggle for peace, justice and dignity. Only by relating to larger struggles around us we can strengthen our commitment to our shared ideals.
[edit] External links and references
- Mumineen.org - The most comprehensive online source of information related to Dawoodi Bohras
- Malumaat.com - A Dawoodi Bohra news website most frequented by Bohras on the South Asia.
- Dawoodi Bohra Internet Resources - The Most Comprehensive Collection of Bohra Links on the Internet
- Bohras - Short History of the Dawoodi Bohras.
- Al Vazarat tus Saifiyah - Official administrative organ of the Dawoodi Bohra community.
- Misbah - Official online magazine published by the Dawat.
- Progressive Dawoodi Bohras
