Dawoodi Bohras observe Ashara Mubaraka in their homes

The city of Colombo was bustling with thousands of Dawoodi Bohras from all parts of the world this time last year to commemorate the ten days of Ashara Mubaraka with their leader, His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the 53rd al-dai al-mutlaq and head of the Dawoodi Bohra community. This year however, the streets of Bambalapitiya and Masjid premises across the world were silent, as the members of the Dawoodi Bohra community were observing Ashara Mubaraka in their homes.

Ashara Mubaraka - The Blessed Ten

At the beginning of the Islamic year during the month of Muharram, the Dawoodi Bohra community – like millions of Muslims around the world – commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Husain ibn Ali AS, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed SAW. For the Dawoodi Bohra community, this ten-day period, known as Ashara Mubaraka, is a time of spiritual reflection and educational growth. Starting on the 2nd day of the month of Muharram and delivered over nine days, sermons delivered by His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin explore themes of justice, sacrifice, brotherhood, forgiveness, kindness and piety, all qualities that manifest themselves in the tragedy that befell Imam Husain AS and his companions in Karbala, Iraq, which ultimately led to his martyrdom.

This year, the Ashara Mubaraka sermons commenced from the 19th and concluded on the 28th of August.

Ashara Mubaraka Sermons delivered online

2020 has been a year of change in all aspects of our lives, including the way prayer and faith is observed. Adhering to government guidelines and instructions on social distancing due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year, Dawoodi Bohra communities all over the world observed Ashara Mubaraka at home with their families by following prayers and sermons online; just as they did during Ramadan and other recent religious occasions. Recordings of the sermons delivered by His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, as well as his predecessors, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, and Syedna Taher Saifuddin were relayed online, directly to their homes. Meals were also being delivered to all members’ households from the community kitchens, commonly known as Faizul Mawaid al Burhaniyah—bearing in mind all the safety regulations.