His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin 53rd Dā'ī al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra | |
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مُـفـضّـل سـيـفُ ٱلـدّين | |
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Da'i al-Mutlaq | |
Assumed office 17 January 2014 | |
Preceded by | Mohammed Burhanuddin |
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Born | Aali Qadr Mufaddal 20 August 1946[1] |
Spouse | [2] |
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Religious life | |
Religion | Islam |
Sect | Ismailism Dawoodi Bohra |
Jurisprudence | |
Citizenship | Indian |
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Style | His Holiness |
Awards | Full list |
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Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University | |
Assumed office 11 April 2015 | |
Preceded by | Aziz Mushabber Ahmadi |
Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia | |
Assumed office 14 March 2023 | |
Preceded by | Najma Heptulla |
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin (Arabic: مُـفـضّـل سـيـفُ ٱلـدّين, romanized: ʿĀlī Qadr Mufaḍḍal Sayf al-Dīn) is the spiritual leader, the 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq of more than one million Dawoodi Bohras, a subgroup of the Tayyibi, Musta'li, Ismaili Shia branch of Islam.[8][9][10][11] He is the second son of the 52nd Da'i al-Mutlaq, Mohammed Burhanuddin,[1] whom he succeeded in 2014.[12][13] He is the Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia situated in India.
A direct descendant of the Islamic Prophet Mohammed, Saifuddin's lineage traces back through the Prophet's daughter, Fatima al-Zahra, and her husband, Ali ibn Abi Talib, continuing through Imam Hussein and the Ismaili Imams up to Ja'far al-Sadiq
In Egypt, he rebuilt shrines of the Ahl al-Bayt and is personally responsible for the restoration of medieval Fatimid architecture, notably Al-Anwar Mosque,[14] Al-Aqmar Mosque, Al-Juyushi Mosque, and Lulua Mosque.[15][16] In Yemen, he has spearheaded several campaigns to improve socio-economic conditions of the inhabitants of the Haraaz region, introducing sustainable agricultural systems, improving local infrastructure, addressing substance abuse issues and providing equal access to education for children.[17] Saifuddin personally leads community programs throughout the world, such as the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Project in Mumbai’s Bhendi Bazaar, a philanthropic initiative called Project Rise, and the Faiz al Mawaid Buhaniyah community kitchen,[18] which work towards socio-economic development, environmental conservation,[19] food security and reducing food waste.
His Holiness TUS appeared for the examinations of the historic Dawoodi Bohra educational institute Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah in Surat where he graduated with the highest honours. He completed his undergraduate education in India and Egypt where he was privately tutored by distinguished professors from Cairo's leading universities including Cairo University and al-Azhar.
Muffadal Saifuddin is the second eldest among seven children of Dr Burhanuddin. Born in Surat, he moved to Mumbai for his school education and graduated from Mumbai University. He is presently a rector in Arabic University in Surat.