NAIROBI, Kenya Dec 12 – His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, leader of the worldwide Dawoodi Bohra community, was presented with the Order of the Golden Heart of the Republic of Kenya by President William Ruto as Kenya marked Jamhuri Day celebrations.
In a special ceremony that was held in honour of Syedna Saifuddin at the State House, the President discussed various topics of mutual interest and explored avenues of further cooperation between the Bohra community and the government. He then proceeded to present Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin with the award in recognition of his numerous philanthropic contributions across the world and his leadership role in fostering interfaith dialogue as well as peace and harmony among the peoples of Kenya, the wider East Africa region and the world at large.
The Order of the Golden Heart of the Republic of Kenya is the highest award in Kenya given to eminent personalities for their exemplary work. Past recipients of the award include; The President of Uganda Mr Yoweri Museveni, the former President of Liberia Mr Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the Aga Khan Shah Karim al-Husayni.
During the ceremony, President Ruto once again thanked His Holiness for supporting the government’s low cost housing initiative as well as the ongoing drought relief efforts.
Speaking about the significance of the event, a community spokesperson stated: ‘It is a matter of great pride for the Bohra community in Kenya to see Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin being recognised by the government for his exemplary humanitarian and charitable work. It is a testament to the deep and mutually respectful relationship the community shares with the country’s leadership as well as with the people of Kenya at large.’
Syedna Saifuddin has previously been presented with the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart award on the occasion of the inauguration of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah’s Nairobi campus in 2017, the third campus of the Dawoodi Bohra community’s premiere educational institute. The award was presented to him in recognition of his efforts for the cause of education and literacy.
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin’s bond with Kenya, as well as the wider East Africa region, goes back generations and spans centuries. His illustrious grandfather, the 51st Dai, His Holiness Syedna Taher Saifuddin, was the first community leader to travel to Kenya on the cusp of its independence in 1963. His successor, the 52nd Dai, His Holiness Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, visited Kenya on numerous occasions. His fondness for the country and his faith and confidence in its potential are reflected in his establishment of a campus of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, the Dawoodi Bohra community’s prestigious institute of higher learning, in Nairobi.
As the custodian of his predecessors’ rich legacy in East Africa, Syedna Saifuddin today continues to frequent the region, generously contributing to numerous causes for the socio-economic uplift of all Kenyans as well as all East Africans. He relentlessly guides community members to strive for the growth and development of the nation and region with the same enthusiasm and dedication as any article of faith.
The Dawoodi Bohras have called Kenya home for more than two centuries. Predominantly a business oriented community, the Bohras have, in recent times, diversified into numerous fields and professions, most notably, medicine, law, architecture, IT and engineering among others. Nairobi and Mombasa are home to the largest communities in Kenya with smaller ones in Nakuru, Malindi, Lamu, Kisumu, Eldoret and Kitui. The third campus of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah is located in the Karen area of Nairobi. It is a world class Academy which offers higher secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate studies in various disciplines. Its unique educational philosophy puts emphasis on blending tradition with the best of what modernity has to offer and caters to more than 900 students from 24 countries across the world.
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