Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah[a] is an Arabic academy dedicated to Islamic learning based in India, Pakistan, and Kenya. Established in Surat as Dars-e Saifee c. 1810 by Abde'Ali Saifuddin, it was after extensive renovation (c. 1960s) and expansion (c. 1980s and c. 2010s) carried out by Taher Saifuddin and Mohammed Burhanuddin, the university gained prominence.[6][7] Today, as holder of the office of Dāʿī al-Mutlaq, Mufaddal Saifuddin is the sole benefactor of the institute.[8][9]
History
I have been systematically endeavoring in recent years to restructure this time-honored Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah so as to harmonize its concepts, its curricula and its general outlook and perspective with the dynamics and the demands of the new age, without, at the same time doing any damage to the essentials and fundamentals of its original objectives. It has also been my effort to improve the quality, the standard and the diversity of the knowledge imparted in this institution so as to raise it to the status of a respected academy which would attract scholars from all places and from which would radiate rays of sober wisdom and light.
Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin established Dars-e Saifee (Urdu: درسِ سيفي, lit. 'Saifee School'), a theology school for the Dawoodi Bohra community, in 1810.[11]
The 51st Dai al-Mutlaq, Taher Saifuddin introduced secular and scientific subjects in the 1960s and gave it the present name of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, and admitted its first female students. Mohammed Burhanuddin undertook a complete renovation and expansion of the campus buildings.[12]
In 1969, during his 57th birthday celebration, Mohammed Burhanuddin established Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah in Karachi, Pakistan. The construction of this 14-acre campus that commenced on same year was completed by Burhanuddin, and inaugurated by the President of Pakistan, Mohammed Zia-ul-Haq, on 4th November 1983.[13]
In 2011, during centennial celebrations, Mohammed Burhanuddin established Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah in Nairobi, Kenya. The construction of this 14-acre campus that commenced in 2013 was completed under the reign of Mufaddal Saifuddin, Burhanuddin's son and successor, and inaugurated by the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, on 20 April 2017.[14][15][16]
In 2013, during golden jubilee celebrations of his throne, Mohammed Burhanuddin established Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah at Marol in Mumbai, India. The construction of this 14-acre campus that commenced in 2015 was completed under the reign of Mufaddal Saifuddin, and was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, on 10 February 2023.[17][18]
Ashara Mubaraka
In 2021, Mufaddal Saifuddin delivered Ashara Mubaraka sermons in the Nairobi campus of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah's Masjid al-Zahra. It marked the first time that Ashara Mubaraka was hosted by Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah.[citation needed]
A 11-year course of study is divided into three phases:[2] The first phase is four years and involves 55 courses, the second phase is five years, subdivided into three years with 75 courses and two years with 90 subjects,[citation needed] and the final two-year phase focuses on specialization and advanced studies in Islamic and Arabic sciences.[2]
At the end of the 11th year, the students graduate with the degree of al-Faqih al-Jayyid,[2] and are sent on khidmah (lit.'community service') to hajj and other pilgrimages at full cost to the office of the Da'i al-Mutlaq.[21] These graduates, as per tradition, invite the Da'i al-Mutlaq for a ziyafat (lit.'banquet') as a show of gratitude.[22]
Left: Old entrance gate at Surat Jamea. Right: A Bab al-Futuh replica at the entrance of Aljamea at Hyderi, Karachi.
The principal university campus is situated in Surat (India) with three sister campuses in Karachi (Pakistan), Nairobi (Kenya), and Marol (Mumbai, India).
Mohammed Burhanuddin renovated the Surat campus in c. 1983: The aesthetics of the new buildings complement their purpose: to provide an inspiring and conducive environment for learning and nurturing.[23] The academic block north houses classrooms, administrative offices, Iwaan (a large hall where annual exams are held amongst other events that involve the entire student and teaching faculties), and Al-Masjid al-Fatimi (which sits between the garden and the Iwaan). Opposite to the academic block is a library that houses more than 150,000 books and subscribes to more than 100 periodicals.[24] The Masakin (boys' hostel) and Rabwat (girls' hostel) blocks are adjacent to the academic block.
South of the campus is Devdi Mubarak (lit.'lord's honorable house'), the Da'i al-Mutlaq's residence, at the end of which is Mahad al-Zahra:[when?] An institute for memorization and recitation of Quran, and for Quranic arts and sciences. Further south are Mazar-e Saifee (mausoleum of seven Dua't Mutlaqeen) and Masjid-e Moazzam (lit.'The Great Mosque').
Marol
Saifuddin pictured here with the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi at the inauguration of Aljamea campus in Marol, Mumbai.
Taher Saifuddin (left) and his son, Ameer al-Jamea, Yusuf Najmuddin (c. 1945).
Following the death of its first rector[b] post-renovations, Yusuf Najmuddin in 1987 (1407 ھ), Mohammed Burhanuddin appointed four rectors in his place:[c] His two brothers Qasim Hakimuddin, Abbas Fakhurdddin, and his two sons Qaidjoher Ezzuddin and Mufaddal Saifuddin.[26] Mohammed Burhanuddin instructed the newly appointed rectors that in the event that there was a difference of opinion amongst them, then Mufaddal Saifuddin's opinion should take precedence.[27]
Following the death of Mohammed Burhanuddin, on 16 Rabi al-Awwal 1435 ھ (17 January 2014), and Mufaddal Saifuddin's succession as 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq, he appointed his son Jafar us Sadiq Imaduddin as Aljamea's fourth rector.[28]
After the death of Abbas Fakhruddin on 14 February 2018,[29] and of Qasim Hakimuddin shortly thereafter on 5 April 2018 (in Surat),[30] Mufaddal Saifuddin appointed Aliasghar Kalimuddin and Malik-ul Ashtar Shujauddin as Rectors.[31]
^"People: Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin"(PDF). Vol. 27, no. 326. Bangalore: Islamic Voice. Feb 2014. p. 17. Archived from the original(PDF) on 18 June 2020 – via islamicvoice.com. Dr. Burhanuddin greatly modernized the community and its institutions. Under his stewardship the Bohra religious school Jameatus Saifiya at Surat introduced the modern curriculum together with religious curriculum and opted for International Baccalaureate program under IBO.
