The air crackles with the energy of a city on the move. The grand, white façade of the Saifee Masjid stands across the street, its imposing silhouette a beacon of faith and tradition in the heart of Mumbai.
Built in 1926 by Syedna Taher Saifuddin, the 51st leader of the Dawoodi Bohras, the Saifee Masjid was a testament to the community’s growth and the enduring power of their faith. It was the largest community mosque of its time, and its construction was a significant event for the Dawoodi Bohras. The mosque was a symbol of their presence and identity in Mumbai, a place where they could come together to pray, learn, and celebrate their faith.
For decades, the mosque was a place of spiritual and cultural significance for the Dawoodi Bohras. Syedna Taher Saifuddin himself delivered sixteen Ashara Mubaraka sermons within its walls, and his son, Mohammed Burhanuddin, the 52nd leader, followed in his footsteps with thirteen sermons of his own. The echoes of their words still resonate today, reminding us of the mosque’s legacy as a center of learning and spiritual guidance.
The mosque’s reconstruction in 2023 was a major undertaking. The foundation stone was laid by Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the current leader of the Dawoodi Bohras, and the completed mosque stands as a testament to the community’s commitment to their faith and their heritage. The new mosque retains the beauty and grandeur of the original, but also incorporate state-of-the-art amenities. The mosque boasts solar panels for energy efficiency, rainwater harvesting systems, and even a sewage treatment plant.
The Saifee Masjid stands today as a symbol of the Dawoodi Bohras’ resilience and their commitment to their faith. It is a reminder that even in the heart of a bustling city, the spirit of community and tradition can thrive.