Nearly 6,000 Bohra followers gathered in Dubai to greet their spiritual leader Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin at a reception at the Al Ahli Sports Club stadium.
The 92-year-old leader of nearly one million Dawoodi Bohras arrived yesterday to observe Ashura which starts on the 10th of Moharram. The origin of the word Bohra comes from the Gujarati word 'vohra' meaning trade.
Dr Burhanuddin addressed the huge crowd and went around the the stadium in a flower-decked electric car greeting followers.
Over the next few days, thousands of Dawoodi Bohra community members will arrive in Dubai to attend the 10-day discourses during Moharram.
This is the first time the Ashura discourses are being held in the Gulf and Dr Burhanuddin will be speaking for four hours at a stretch during the 10-day event, taking place at a new mosque in Al Ghusais, Masjid Al Burhani.
Gulf News
