Saifee Masjid

Ghurrat ul Masajid, also known as Saifee Masjid, is a Dawoodi Bohra mosque in South Mumbai, Bhendi Bazaar. It was constructed in the early 20th century by Taher Saifuddin.^[1]

Saifee Mosque
The old Saifee Masjid built by Syedna Taher Saifuddin before it underwent redevelopment by Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust
Religion
Affiliation	Islam
Location
Municipality	Mumbai
State	Maharashtra
Country	India
Architecture
Type	mosque

History

The 51st leader of the Dawoodi Bohras, Syedna Taher Saifuddin built Saifee Masjid, the largest community mosque of the time in 1926.^[2]The mosque measured 34.5 metres in length, 26.7 metres in width, and 15.1 metres in height.^[3] It accommodated approximately 5,000 worshippers.^[4] Syedna Taher Saifuddin laid the foundation stone of this Masjid on May 6, 1923 (21 Ramadan, 1341 Hijri) and inaugurated the completed masjid in a period of three years on March 9, 1926 (25 Shaban 1344H).^[5][6]

The 51st leader, Taher Saifuddin held 16 Ashara Mubaraka sermons in this masjid and his son 52nd leader, Mohammed Burhanuddin conducted 13 Ashara Mubaraka sermons

In 2011, Burhanuddin delivered his 100th Birthday discourses in this masjid

In 2018, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin laid the foundation stone for reconstructing Saifee Masjid as part of Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment project undertaken by Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust. He inaugurated the reconstructed Saifee Masjid on September 25, 2023.^[7]

Architectural features

Saifee Masjid redeveloped by Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin providing modern amenities and preserving design and architectural elements.

Saifee Masjid consists of a mixture of various architectural styles; indigenous Indian, Islamic, and classical architecture. The two minarets at each corner of the mosque are adorned with ornamentation.^[8] This design has been taken from, Taj Masjid in Morbi, Gujarat, built by the 43rd Dai Syedna Abdeali Saifuddin.

Burmese teakwood from the original mosque, has been reinstalled in the doors, windows, columns and beams. The walls are adorned with Quranic verses, ornate floral motifs and decorative patterns. Chandeliers are designed and hand-crafted in the former Republic of Czechoslovakia. Marble, have been quarried from Makrana in Rajasthan, and intricate mosaics have been used to embellish various parts of the masjid.

The main entrance is inspired by the design of Bab ul-Futuh.

Environmental sustainability

The mosque has a rainwater harvesting system along with a sewage treatment plant. The lights in the utility building are powered entirely by solar panels. Date palm trees provide natural shade in the courtyard.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. "Syedna, Dawoodi Bohras' spiritual leader, dies at 102". The Times of India. 2014-01-18. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
2. Jamali, Moiz (2023-09-26). "A Century of Reminiscences: Saifee Masjid, Mumbai". The Dawoodi Bohras. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
3. Jamali, Moiz (2023-09-26). "A Century of Reminiscences: Saifee Masjid, Mumbai". The Dawoodi Bohras. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
4. Jamali, Moiz (2023-09-26). "A Century of Reminiscences: Saifee Masjid, Mumbai". The Dawoodi Bohras. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
5. Jamali, Moiz (2023-09-26). "A Century of Reminiscences: Saifee Masjid, Mumbai". The Dawoodi Bohras. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
6. "Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin inaugurates one of the largest mosques of the community". www.awazthevoice.in. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
7. "Mumbai News: Syedna Saifuddin Inaugurates Saifee Masjid As Part Of Bhendi Bazaar Redevelopment Project". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
8. "Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin inaugurates one of the largest mosques of the community". www.awazthevoice.in. Retrieved 2023-09-27.