About Us

The Dawoodi Bohras, a Muslim community primarily from western India, have settled in over 40 countries, with over one million members worldwide. While most Dawoodi Bohras reside in India, many live in Pakistan, the Middle East, Yemen, and East Africa, with growing populations in Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, and here, in the United States.

The first Dawoodi Bohra arrived in the United States in the 1920s. Since then, our presence has steadily grown over the past century as we build better lives for ourselves and brighter futures for our children.

Today, nearly 20,000 Dawoodi Bohras live in 31 centers across the United States, from coast to coast.

The term "Bohra" comes from the Gujarati (vohrvu) word for "trade," reflecting our focus on hard work and education. As proud Americans, we are dedicated to our communities, working as professionals and entrepreneurs engaged in trade and commerce, and we regard compassion and patriotism as core tenets of our faith.

His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin at an event at the Los Angeles community centre of the Dawoodi Bohra community.

The Dawoodi Bohra faith is built on peace, love, and humanity. As followers of the Fatimi Ismaili Tayyibi school of thought, we believe in one God, Allah, the Holy Quran as His word, and the sacred mission of the Prophets and their successors. Dawoodi Bohra practices are founded and guided by Islamic principles and Fatimid teachings, including reciting the Quran, performing the five daily prayers, and fasting during Ramadan.

Our faith's values come directly from the teachings of our spiritual leader, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the 53rd Dai al-mutlaq. He continuously guides and reminds us of our duty to be exemplary citizens wherever we live.

In 2018, during a gathering in Indore attended by nearly 200,000 people, His Holiness shared his core message with the community in the presence of the Prime Minister of India, who had been invited as a special guest.

Here in the United States and around the world, the Dawoodi Bohra community has forged itself a unique identity. Following Islamic principles, our faith is expressed through service and kindness to others. We believe in the value of society, equal education, women’s empowerment, interfaith engagement, physical health and wellbeing, and a responsibility to care for the environment.

Along with speaking local languages, we also use our distinctive tongue, Lisan al-Dawat, which is derived from Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Gujarati.

Dawoodi Bohras uphold a distinct style of community attire.
Men of the faith traditionally wear a white three-piece outfit along with a white cap decorated with golden designs, known as a topi.

Women of the faith wear a two-piece dress called the rida, which stands out from other forms of hijab due to its bright colors, decorative patterns, and lace.

Dawoodi Bohras take pride in their culinary tradition and practice a unique system of communal eating around a large metal plate called the thaal. Family and friends gather around the thal at home, while members sit in groups of eight at community events.

We often welcome local friends and neighbors to our community center to share a traditional Dawoodi Bohra meal. These gatherings foster cultural exchange, encouraging understanding, mutual respect, and lasting friendships.

A cornerstone of Dawoodi Bohra values, education is considered a lifelong journey in the community, and efforts have been made towards accessibility. Under the guidance of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin and his predecessors, the community has established 70 schools, several colleges, and four campuses of its premier institute, Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah.

This commitment has led to significant achievements, including a near 100% literacy rate worldwide. Women in the community excel in education and thrive in diverse careers, such as healthcare, academia, and business. In the United States, nearly all second-generation Dawoodi Bohras have graduated from college, far surpassing national averages and reflecting the transformative power of education.

For the Dawoodi Bohra community, knowledge holds true value only when paired with action. It is not sought for worldly recognition but as a means to cultivate good character and humanity. Community members, whose educational achievements span a wide range of fields, are encouraged to give back and make meaningful contributions to society.

Despite our relatively small numbers, Bohras in the United States play productive roles, enriching the fabric of this nation wherever they live.

Many Dawoodi Bohras run successful businesses creating jobs, generating wealth, and contributing to the growth and development of the nation. We also count among our community many doctors, IT professionals, teachers, artists, and academics. Learn more about how Dawoodi Bohras are working to make a difference in their communities.

Giving back to the world around us is an important part of who we are. We’re dedicated to help improve lives, especially of the most vulnerable, around the world.

Discover the latest updates, stories, and community highlights from Dawoodi Bohra communities across the USA.