History

More than two centuries ago, our forebears set sail for the shores of East Africa. Travelling in dhows (traditional sailing boats common in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean) and uncertain of what lay ahead, they left behind their community’s long-established stronghold in Gujarat, India, and ventured into uncharted territory. They embarked on this journey towards distant shores provisioned only with the blessings and guidance of the incumbent Syedna, a small amount of money, limited supplies, and the determination to forge a new destiny for themselves.

Scholars largely agree that the Dawoodi Bohras initially settled on the island of Pemba in the Zanzibar archipelago and in coastal Kenyan towns like Malindi and Lamu. In these regions, they integrated into the local culture as traders, while establishing a closely-knit community that was later strengthened by the arrival of more family members from India. In the 20th century, community members expanded across Kenya and Tanzania, establishing themselves in cities like Mombasa, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar.

With each new settlement, they constructed masjids and housing clusters to support communal life. In Mombasa, Saifee Bagh, the community’s first residential society, was established, offering homes, a masjid, and a multi-purpose hall for religious and social gatherings. Similar societies were founded in Nairobi and other cities, serving as central hubs for the Dawoodi Bohras, where religious, social, and educational facilities were established.

Today, under the guidance of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, nearly 13,000 Bohra community members across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, as well as more recent arrivals in Ethiopia and Zambia, continue to be law-abiding, peace-loving and industrious citizens. While firmly rooted in their faith, culture and identity, they have embraced their local culture and formed bonds of solidarity with their fellow citizens. Inspired by Fatimi philosophy, they live meaningful and productive lives, characterised by honesty, integrity, and selflessness.