South Asia People Groups

Bohra Muslims of India

They live in a land where the images of 330 million gods and goddesses paint the landscape and architecture.

The Bohra Muslims’ belief in Allah contrasts sharply with the variety of faiths that make up the mosaic of religion in India.

In the midst of the captivating portrayals of multilimbed goddesses and elephant-headed gods are those topped with white caps lined with gold.

Bohra Muslims were an upper-class Hindu caste before converting in the 11th century. Numbering 1.2 million, they make up less than 1 percent of the Indian Muslim community. India has the second-largest Muslim population in the world.

Dawoodi Bohras are located in Gujarat and Maharashtra and make up the largest Bohra community. Their past is filled with strife resulting in the creation of smaller Bohra communities.

Although Christian revivals are occurring in lower-caste communities, social elitism by the Bohras has kept them from gaining access to the gospel.

Bohras engage in religious conversation, but secretive attitudes regarding their personal lives prevent real change. Witnessing by national believers is rare due to the arrests of some of them. New churches attract Christians from other churches more than bringing Muslims to Christ.

Unlike other South Asian Muslims, Bohra women may own property and receive an inheritance. They are encouraged to pursue education and business.

The role of the Bohras as a business class has created a people whose primary passion is business—a threat to their strict orthodox obedience to their religious leader, the Syedna Muhammad Burhanuddin.

The Syedna is the religious head of the Bohra people, a role that distinguishes Dawoodi Muslims from other Muslim communities. For orthodox followers, all decisions go through him, including those regarding marriage, the naming of children and business.

“Salvation” for Bohra Muslims occurs as a result of their religious hierarchy and obedience to religious laws and leaders.

Recent claims of abuse by the Syedna have brought about reform movements. Only 2 percent of the population officially associate themselves with the movement, yet reformists claim that 60 percent of Bohra Muslims worldwide support their cause. These movements have opened the door for outside religious influence.

Western attire slowly replaces white kurta pajamas (baggy pants and long shirts) for men and the traditional dress of the burkha-rida (colorful head/shawl covering with skirt) for women.

In many cases, the Syedna’s decisions regarding women’s clothing are disregarded in the pursuit of fashion.

With the relaxing of the dependence on the Syedna’s decisions, social and religious change is an inevitable force in the life of the Dawoodi Bohra people.