A young Bohra in Bohra Mohalla, Bhendi Bazaar, Mumbai. December 2009. 

An everyday passage through a space layered with history, devotion, and belonging.

Bohra Mohalla, Dongri, Mumbai, December 2009

 

At Bohra Mohallah, Dongri, Mumbai, December 2009 محله بورا (نه بوهرا)در دونگری در شهر قدیم بمبئی. بوراها جماعتی تاجر و گجراتی هستند که در دوران کلونیال، مثل خیلی‌های دیگر، بمبئی بدل به پایتخت‌شان شد.

 A Bohra: Bohra Mohalla, Dongri, Mumbai, December 2010 (during Muharram)

Emotion: an emotional time for Bohras at Rowda al-Tahera, Bohra Mohalla, Mumbai, December 2010

It was an emotional time for Bohras at Rowdt al-Tahera after a Muharrma majlis when thier sptiatual head, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, is passing by.




Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, spritual head of Bohra community at Rowdat al-Tahera, Bohra Mohalla, Mumbai, Indian, December 2010

Bohras: Bohran Mohalla during a Muharram Majilis, Bendhi Bazaar, Mumbai, India, December 2010

This shot is taken in same place as previous shot during a Muharram Majlis (service session) in Bohra Mohalla (quarter) in the south of Mumbai.

Dawoodi Bohras are Shia-Ismaeilis originally from Gujarat of India. Bohra ladies dress distinguish light and colourful Rida; such a dress and hijab is back to the early 1970s when the orthodox versus reformist clash in the community reached its peak, and the spiritual head of community made the wearing of the dress compulsory.

Bohras’ Majlis of Muharram: Bohra Mohalla, Bendhi Bazzar, Mumbai, Indian, December 2010

Dawoodi Bohras are Shia Ismaili, but differ from Agha-Khani Ismaili; they follow Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin who is their spiritual head. Bohras are commemorating Muharram by Majlies and not taking out procession. This year, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin delivered his sermons at in Bendhi bazaar.

As the Times of India (TOI) reported; ‘Since the Syedna's speech is considered sacred for every Bohra, there was a great rush to be at his Majlis. The attendees received their invitations after registering by e-mail. Nearly two lakh Bohras from across the world are in town and around 32,000 get to sit in the massive mosque at a time. Those who have not found a place at the mosque see him on screens set up at 60 relay centres across the city and suburbs’ (TOI, December 14, 2010, ).

I had the privilege of attending and observing the majilis at Bendhi Bazar. The crowd gathered in the street to catch a glimpse of their spiritual leader, who would pass over a temporary bridge,  from where I took this shot. The bridge temporarily connects Seifi Masjid and Rowda al-Tahera.

دعودی بورا یا به اختصار بورا اجتماعی از شیعیان اسماعیلی هستند اما متفاوت از اسماعیلیان آقا خانی یا به اصطلاح
اسماعیلیان نزاری هستند اگر چه بورا ها اصالتا هندی هستند اما در طی دوران کلونی در اطراف جهان بخصوص آفریقا پراکند شده اند
رهبر معنوی بوراها سیدنا محمد برهان الدین است وی در واقع داعی مطلق محسوب میشود
تصویر امروز را از روی پلی که میان مسجد صیفی و روضه الطاهره به طور موقت ساخته شده بود گرفته ام
مردان بورا همگی لباس سفید میپوشند و خانم ها هم بر اساس دستور مذهبی لباس روشن و رنگین به تن میکنند
امسال بخاطر آنکه رهبر معنوی بورا ها در بمبئی مراسم روضه محرم را برگزار میکرد چند صد هزار بورا از اطراف جهان به بمبئی آمده بودند