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Continuing to talk about the traditions of the Isma’ili Khojas, we reach their divorce, organization, and ‎business that we are going to discuss in this article. ‎   Divorce ‎ In the Isma’ili Khoja community, divorce is not allowed without the jamaat’s permission, and the ‎jama’at usually requires the consent of both parties to permit […]

Learning about Ismaili Khojas Customs is vital due to the significance of this ethnic group from India and Pakistan, previously a Hindu trading caste founded in the fourteenth century. They follow the Agha Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili sect. Khojas are the major Muslim trading caste in western India. The Khojas of Punjab […]

The History of Twelver Khoja (part 2) In the previous article, we discussed the Isma’ili and Sunni Khojas. In this article, we are going to learn more about the Twelver Shi’a Khojas.   Twelver Shi’a Khojas After the conflict between some of the Khoja families and the Aga Khan, some dissidents in the Khoja groups, […]

The History of Khoja Muslims (part 1) Originating from India, Khojas were initially converted from Hinduism to the Isma’ili branch of Islam. Later communal fighting split this group even further. Known for their sense of discipline and organization, the diverse Khoja groups are now well set up all through the world.    The Early Khojas […]

‘Raudat’ means garden while ‘Tahera’ means pure. Raudat Tahera is a white marble mausoleum that houses the tombs of two spiritual leaders of the Dawoodi Bohras, Taher Saifuddin and his son and successor Mohammed Burhanuddin, the 51st and 52nd Dāʿī al-Mutlaqs of the Dawoodi Bohra Ismaili Shia Muslims[1]. Opened in 1975, this Dawoodi Bohras holy […]

Continuing to talk about the culture and traditions of the Dawoodi Bohra Shia Muslims, we reach their food and business and some important religious rituals that matter among the community members: Cuisine The Dawoodi Bohras are famous for their culinary reputation. Joining one another for meals is a particularly well-known Bohra custom and therefore they […]

Dawoodi Bohra Shia Muslims trace their heritage to the Fatimi Imams, direct descendants of the Prophet Mohammed, in Egypt and this fact affects the cultural aspects of the Dawoodi Bohras life significantly. The Dawoodi Bohras all through the world are guided by their leader called “al-dai al-mutlaq” (unrestricted missionary), who first operated from Yemen and then, […]

Dargah is a shrine or tomb built over the grave of a revered religious figure, usually a Shia saint or dervish. Shias often visit the shrine for Ziyarat, a term associated with religious visits and “pilgrimages”. Dargahs are often associated with the pilgrims’ eating and meeting rooms and hostels. They usually include other buildings for community purposes, such as a mosque, meeting rooms, Islamic religious schools […]

The 15th of Ramadan is the birthday of Imam Hassan Mujtaba, the second Imam, the eldest grandson of the Prophet and the eldest son of Imam Ali and Lady Fatima. ‘Mujtaba’, ‘Ameen’, and ‘Tagi’ run among his titles. He was born in Medina on the night of the fifteenth of Raman in third year of […]

Imam Ali’s martyrdom as the First Muslim, an intimate associate of the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH&HF) in his life and holy Islamic mission, the Immediate Successor to the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH&HF) and the First Holy Immaculate Imam of the Shi’a Muslims. On the 19th day of Ramadan in 661, Imam Ali (PBUH) […]