Claimant to Syedna seat declares official challenge

The challenge in the succession war in the Dawoodi Bohra community was out in the open on Tuesday, with a declaration by the claimants that they would take appropriate action shortly.

"We will be moving very shortly on this," Dr Abdeali Qutbuddin, told a well-attended news conference at the Trade Centre in the Bandra-Kurla Complex.

Abdeali is the son of Khuzaima Qutbuddin, the younger half brother of Syedna Muhammad Burhanuddin, the 52nd dai, who passed away in January. Before Burhanuddin's death it was assumed that Khuzaima would inherit his mantle.

That was till a couple of years ago, after Burhanuddin had suffered a stroke, it was declared that the dai had appointed his second son Mufaddal Saifuddin as designate-successor. Mufaddal took charge officially last month, but this has been challenged by Khuzaima, who declared himself as the new Syedna and 53rd Dai Ul Mutlaq of the million-strong community.

Khuzaima's son Abdeali said on Tuesday that they would challenge the succession and the control of trusts and properties at different levels like the government and in the courts.

Abdeali was assisted by his brother Aziz at the press meet, which was held to explain their position on the matter.

Replying to a question on why Khuzaima had kept silent for two years even after it was known that the Syedna had appointed his second son as successor, Aziz explained that "the nass (investiture) of my father as mazoon (second in command) was done by Burhanuddin 50 years ago in private and that he had asked him to keep it secret. It was in trust that this was kept secret until now."

"We were hoping that the Syedna's health would improve and that it would be taken up with him. But his children have manipulated the situation. For us, it was not a matter of political expediency," Aziz said.

Asked whether they had any documents or other evidence to prove their claim, the sons said the private ceremony was conducted verbally and they had proof, but it could not be put out right now. "We will put up the proof at the right time," Abdeali said.

On the matter of ex-communication from the community, the sons of Khuzaima said the issue was sub judice. They also would not commit on the following that their father might command. "We cannot give that figure now because a lot of people are scared," Aziz said.

They explained that the succession issue was not just about property, but the identity of the community. "It will determine the direction in which the community is heading. While the Syedna was liberal and made sure the members lived along with the rest of society, his son Mufaddal is orthodox. They do not want women to study, but only do home science," Abdeali said.