Mumbai: Did not come here as Prime Minister but as family member, says PM Modi during Dawoodi Bohra community event

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin at the Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy campus on Friday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known to enjoy a special bond with the Dawoodi Bohras, and his visit to the community's fourth Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy campus, at Marol in Andheri East, on Friday showcased just that.

Taking a tour of the campus before inaugurating it, Modi chatted with 500 students, visited the institute's masjid and even rolled a chapati at the community kitchen.

Addressing the community, Modi asserted, "I did not come here as prime minister but as a family member."

Hailing the contribution of the Dawoodi Bohra community to social welfare, Modi said they played a crucial role in fighting malnutrition and water issues in Gujarat.

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"I worked with them for water conservation and anti-malnutrition schemes in Gujarat when I was chief minister of the state," he recalled. "I respect your commitment to education," he added.

Modi also praised the community for being able to successfully conserve their tradition, heritage and culture while using technology and innovation at the same time. "The Dawoodi Bohra community has always inspired me. I have seen the late Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, the 52nd Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohras teaching children at the age of 99. What commitment and dedication. The scene even inspires me today. The love I have received from the community is precious. I have been associated with the Syedna for the past four generations now. Their love and support have always guided me," Modi said.

He added that a community is identified by how it has maintained its relevance with respect to the era they are in. "The Dawoodi Bohra community has always proved itself worthy when it comes to change and development with the evolution of time. The beginning of the Arabic academy is the best example of that," the prime minister stated.

Requesting all the members of the community and attendees at the event to visit Dandi once in their life, the prime minister said, "We all know Dandi because of Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagraha, but very few people know that during the Dandi March, Mahatma Gandhi had stayed at the then Syedna's residence in Dandi. When I became the CM of Gujarat, I mentioned to the community that I have a small wish. The 52nd Syedna didn't even hesitate for a second to give away a sea-facing bungalow in Dandi to me in which Mahatma Gandhi had stayed. The Bungalow Saifee Villa is now part of the Dandi Memorial," the PM said.

Before the inauguration, the prime minister along with Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq, CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavi, took a tour of the academy. It started from the entrance, which is modelled after the Baab Zuwayla - a gateway to the old city of Cairo built by the Fatimid imams.

They planted a fig tree, which as per the community serves as a symbol of growth, renewal and the flourishing of knowledge. Two young members of the community presented the prime minister with doves, which were released as a gesture of peace and goodwill.

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Following this, the PM spoke to the students and visited the community kitchen. After this, he unveiled the inaugural plaque and officially inaugurated the academy with a ceremonial untying of the ribbon.

Modi then visited the ceremonial hall of the campus where dignitaries and members of the community were seated.

"The campus prepares young women and men for positions of leadership in the community. Wherever they live in the world, they impact society positively. The message that His Holiness has always given us is to be loyal and faithful citizens of the community where we live. That is the message that the institution will give here as well. The students will carry the message across the world," said a community member present at the venue.

Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, head of the global Dawoodi Bohra community, thanked the prime minister and spoke of the decades-old friendship and bond between the leader and his father Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin. "India has been our home for centuries, and we are at peace here," said Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin.

Regarding the education sector, Modi said, "India once was the centre point of education. People from across the globe came to Nalanda university. It's time we re-establish that prosperity in the education system now. Between 2004 and 2014, a total of 145 medical colleges were set up. The number jumped to 260 between 2014 and 2022. We are starting a medical college in every district. Every week in the past eight years, one university and two colleges have been set up in the country. More patents are being filed than in previous years."

He added, "Education in regional language and mother tongue is essential. This has hit many students in rural areas or those from economically weaker sections. Despite their talent and capacity for learning, they are deprived of opportunities due to language barriers. Like the Dawoodi Bohra community, we must keep development and legacy together. The Bohra community spread across the globe can continue to be ambassadors of our country."

Facts about the academy

. There are four campuses of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy. The first was established in Surat around 250 years ago. This was followed by one in Karachi in 1983 and one in Nairobi in 2017.
. The Mumbai campus covers 850,000 sq ft and is located near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
. The project was announced in 2013 and temporary premises were created for students during the construction.
. 500 students have enrolled at the Mumbai campus, which has a capacity of 700.
. There are approximately 220 women and 300 male students.
. Across all four Jamea campuses, there are 3,000 students.
. The admission process is highly selective; 1 in 4 applicants are admitted after assessment in areas including Quran memorisation, English proficiency, maths and science aptitude, IQ, emotional intelligence, religious understanding, general knowledge and extra-curricular activities
. There are 160 faculty members and staff at the Mumbai campus.