His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS is the 53rd al-Dāʿī al-Mutlaq and the present spiritual head of the Dawoodi Bohra community worldwide. He assumed office in January 2014 and continues a long tradition of stewardship that emphasises knowledge, compassion and social service.
Beloved by community members and respected by leaders in host countries, His Holiness has made multiple visits to Pakistan and has supported the development of educational, health and social institutions in the country.
Under his guidance the community has expanded initiatives in education, healthcare, business upliftment and environmental stewardship in Pakistan.
Upholding the long-standing tradition of knowledge and education, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin oversees the functioning of community schools and educational institutes across Pakistan. His guidance has strengthened institutions such as the Saifee Burhani University, Saifee Eide Zahabi Institute of Science and Technology in Karachi and community administered schools nationwide. Under his leadership, these centres of learning continue to provide holistic education that blends traditional disciplines with contemporary subjects, nurturing confident, principled, and well-rounded citizens dedicated to serving society.
Syedna Saheb also places great emphasis on the empowerment and development of women. In Pakistan, the Department for the Well-Being of Women and Children supports women across the community by offering skills training, professional development courses, and initiatives that help them balance their roles as homemakers and as successful entrepreneurs and professionals. These programmes enable women to contribute meaningfully to their families, the community, and the broader social landscape of Pakistan.
The Department for Business Development reflects Syedna’s continuing concern for the economic strength and stability of community members in Pakistan. The department promotes entrepreneurship, provides guidance on modern business practices, and assists both new and established ventures through training, counselling, and mentorship. During his visits, His Holiness has personally visited community members’ shops and businesses in the old city and industrial areas These efforts encourage sustainable growth and help community members thrive in an evolving economic environment.
Inspired by Syedna’s teachings of service, compassion, and social responsibility, Project Rise initiatives have taken root across Pakistan. Through activities focused on environmental stewardship, food security, healthcare access, and support for underserved populations, Project Rise works with the government, local partners and volunteers to improve lives and uplift communities throughout the country.
Visits of His Holiness to Karachi
Karachi holds a unique place in the spiritual and historical journey of the Dawoodi Bohra community in Pakistan. As the country’s largest city and a central hub for community life, it has served as the venue for many key religious, educational, and social initiatives under the guidance of His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS.
His Holiness has visited Karachi multiple times, always received as a state guest by the Government of Pakistan, reflecting formal recognition of his spiritual and social contributions. During these visits, the Government extends full facilitation, including security arrangements, traffic management, and logistical support, ensuring the safety and comfort of tens of thousands of community members who gather to participate in the events. During these visits, community members assemble across community centres for various programmes, religious, educational and temporal in which His Holiness provides guidance on ongoing projects in education, healthcare, social welfare, and environmental stewardship. He engages with civil society representatives, academics, and government officials, strengthening ties between the Dawoodi Bohra community and the broader society.
Ashara Mubaraka
Karachi has served as a significant venue for Ashara Mubaraka, the annual ten-day commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Husain AS, under the guidance of His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS. His Holiness has presided over Ashara in Karachi twice in recent years, reflecting the city’s central role in the spiritual life of the Dawoodi Bohra community. In 2024, Holiness delivered the congregation to an audience of approximately 80,000 community members, both local and international while in 2017, it was attended by over 60,000 community members.
The events were organised with meticulous planning and large-scale arrangements across community centres, halls, and masjids to accommodate the significant number of attendees. The Government of Pakistan extended formal invitations and facilitated the events, providing security, traffic management, and logistical support to ensure smooth and safe proceedings.
The Ashara Mubaraka in Karachi not only provides spiritual guidance but also promotes unity, discipline, civic responsibility, and social engagement. Volunteers and community members actively participate in social initiatives, including meal distribution through Faizul Mawaidil Burhaniyah, accommodation management, and overall event coordination. These gatherings exemplify the community’s commitment to faith, service, and constructive engagement with civil authorities and the wider society.
Respect and Recognition from the Government of Pakistan
The Government of Pakistan has consistently expressed deep respect for His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS and appreciation for the Dawoodi Bohra community’s contributions to society. During his visits, he has been formally welcomed by Government officials, reflecting recognition at the highest levels of government.
His Holiness’s efforts in promoting peace, inter-faith harmony, civic responsibility, education, and economic development have been publicly acknowledged. In 2024, he was received at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, by the Governor of Sindh and the Chief Minister, highlighting national recognition and honour.
His Holiness has been presented with the Nishan-e-Pakistan, Pakistan’s highest civil award, in recognition of his outstanding services to humanity, social welfare, and the community at large. This award underscores the Government’s acknowledgement of his spiritual leadership, charitable initiatives, and enduring impact on both the Dawoodi Bohra community and Pakistani society.
Continuing the Path Under the Guidance of His Holiness
Dawat-e-Hadiyah Pakistan continues to draw strength from the guidance of His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS. His leadership is marked by humility, wisdom, and a steadfast commitment to the welfare of the Dawoodi Bohra community and the society at large. Under his guidance, the community’s programmes in education, healthcare, housing, environmental stewardship, and social upliftment continue to grow and positively impact Pakistan.
Al-Dai al-Mutlaq
The al-Dai al-Mutlaq is the leader of the worldwide Dawoodi Bohra community and the head of Dawat-e-Hadiyah during the seclusion of the Imam and acts as its sole trustee. Today, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin is the 53rd incumbent to this august office.
His Holiness Syedna Taher Saifuddin, the 51st al-Dai al-Mutlaq and father of the 52nd Dai, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA, and grandfather of the present 53rd Dai, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS, is remembered as a distinguished spiritual leader, scholar and administrator whose legacy continues to shape the Dawoodi Bohra community.
Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin was the 52nd al-Dāʿī al-Mutlaq and the spiritual head of the Dawoodi Bohra community worldwide. Over his five-decade leadership beginning in 1965, the Dawoodi Bohra community experienced a renewed sense of mission and devotion to their faith. He reinforced existing institutions and, responding to contemporary needs, launched new initiatives aimed at enhancing the well-being and spiritual life of community members.