His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin – 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq

His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin is the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq and the head of Dawat-e-Hadiyah, the central spiritual and administrative leadership of the Dawoodi Bohra community. He guides a unified global community across more than 45 countries, overseeing religious affairs, education, welfare, healthcare, housing, women’s advancement, economic development, and community relations.

Born in Surat in 1946, Syedna was educated at Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, Surat and later studied under scholars from Al-Azhar and Cairo University. Mentored by his father and predecessor, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, and his grandfather Syedna Taher Saifuddin, he upholds a long tradition of discipline, scholarship, and service.

His Holiness undertakes extensive travels across India and the world to remain closely connected with Dawoodi Bohra communities and to guide the work of Dawat-e-Hadiyah on the ground. These visits take him to major cities as well as remote towns and villages, where he leads prayers, delivers sermons, meets families, businesspersons and professionals, and reviews local institutions and welfare initiatives. His travels also include engagements with heads of state, government officials, faith leaders, and civic institutions, strengthening relationships and fostering goodwill in the countries where the community resides. Through this sustained personal presence, he ensures unity of purpose across the global community while responding sensitively to local needs and contexts.

Education is a central pillar of his leadership. Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah operates campuses in Surat, Mumbai, Karachi, and Nairobi. Mahad al-Zahra strengthens Quranic education worldwide. A broad network of schools maintains universal literacy and strong academic outcomes. Beyond the community, he has served as Chancellor of both Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia University.

He directs major welfare and development initiatives, including the transformation of Bhendi Bazaar in Mumbai under the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Project and extensive housing projects that provide dignified homes for families across India and abroad. Syedna Saifuddin initiated the Faiz al-Mawaid al-Burhaniyah community kitchen programme, which ensures every Bohra household receives a daily nutritious meal. The programme also supports vulnerable communities, especially during times of crisis.

Syedna stresses the importance of both physical and mental well-being. He promotes healthy routines, regular exercise, balanced diets, strong family relationships and care for the elderly. He cautions against exposure to harmful substances and addictions, emphasising the need for protection from excessive screen time. Community programmes support preventive health, emotional resilience, and care for senior citizens. Hospitals and clinics in Mumbai, Surat, Karachi, Dar es Salaam, and other cities provide accessible care supported by community medical professionals.

Environmental responsibility stands among his core priorities. He urges Dawoodi Bohras to act as stewards of the earth through environmental action such as tree-planting, water conservation, and reducing single-use plastics.

He also plays a central role in strengthening economic development within the community. The Dawoodi Bohras have historically been known as a trading and entrepreneurial community, and under his leadership, this legacy has reached new levels of scale, organisation, and ethical clarity. He encourages entrepreneurship rooted in Islamic principles of honesty, trust, and social responsibility. Business forums, mentorship networks, and advisory platforms support community enterprises worldwide. A cornerstone of this ecosystem is Qardan Hasana, the interest-free loan system that was expanded under his leadership, providing essential capital for business growth, education, and family welfare while fostering mutual support and financial resilience.

Syedna’s commitment to heritage includes the preservation of Fatimid masjids and shrines in Cairo in partnership with Egyptian authorities, ensuring these sacred sites remain active centres of worship and learning. His leadership extends to revitalising Yemen, the historic heartland of the Dawoodi Bohras, where he continues long-standing efforts to improve education, infrastructure, sustainable farming, and economic conditions in remote regions, including the shift from qat (an intoxicant) cultivation to coffee and other productive livelihoods.

Through regular engagement with world leaders, governments, universities, and civic institutions, His Holiness advances a message rooted in faith, responsibility, and service. Under his guidance, Dawat-e-Hadiyah works to strengthen spiritual life while enabling the Dawoodi Bohra community to contribute positively and peacefully to societies around the world.