National Stadium - Karachi, June 9, 2004 : More than 400 nikahs were performed at a mass marriage ceremony at the Evan-e-Muffadal, Shabbirabad, Block B on Wednesday as part of the celebrations of the 93rd birthday of His Holiness, Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, spiritual head of the Dawoodi Bohra community and an acclaimed Ambassador of peace and goodwill. Dr. Burhanuddin has been in Pakistan for a fortnight and has been accorded the status of State Guest. Thousands of
Dawoodi Bohras not only from various parts of Pakistan but assorted corners of the globe ranging from UK, USA to Japan, Sri Lanka, Singapore and countries in Africa, have congregated in Karachi to be a part of the festivities.

The mass marriage which started at 1 o clock in the afternoon was initiated with a colourful procession of over 400 grooms. The nikahs were performed by the brothers and sons of Syedna Burhanuddin and the entire ceremony, accompanied by Zohr namaz and lunch for the families of the bride and groom, spanned over 3 hours.

This ceremony was followed by a celebration at the National Stadium which was the culmination of the birthday celebrations. The Dawoodi Bohra community members were seated in the stadium before sunset and soon after Maghrib namaz His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin entered the stadium premises. The proceedings were initiated with the reverential recitation of the Holy Quran and Arabic poems.

This was followed by a PT Display involving 1400 energetic children who enthralled the crowd with their delightful formations, punctuated by the release of thousands of balloons and pigeons in the sky. Then a series of 7 floats entered the stadium, the theme being 'seven things which please Syedna Burhanuddin'. These seven floats thus included the depiction of Nikah which Syedna strongly exhorts his followers to perform at a marriageable age in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Prophet. Other items included a display of trade and industry as Syedna encourages his followers to be self reliant, the term 'Bohra' meaning 'Businessman'. Then there was a float with the portrayal of the Holy Quran; Dr. Burhanuddin himself is Hafiz-ul-Quran
and an Arabic scholar par excellence.

Other items included the depiction of education which Syedna stresses upon; dress code; the Zikr of Hazrat Imam Husain RA which is always incorporated in every discourse that Syedna recites; the construction of Masjids in all corners of the world especially Al-Jamea-al-Anwar in Cairo, built by the Fatemi Imam Hakim whose restoration undertaken by Dr. Burhanuddin, was a magnanimous project.

These floats were followed by a magnificent procession comprising of the grooms who had been married that afternoon and also the Dawoodi Bohra community members who have gathered in Karachi for the Salgirah cerebrations. They carried with them exotic and innovative gifts to offer to Syedna like a 93 foot birthday card which the Surat, India delegation had brought. The climax of the evening was the recitation of a nikah by his Holiness Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin himself and then all the 400 grooms were granted an audience with Dr. Burhanuddin and posed for a group
photograph.

Through the nine decades of his life, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin has inspired and educated, counseled and nurtured his followers. The love and devotion that the Dawoodi Bohras have for him becomes amply evident, be it in a gathering of thousands who jostle for a glimpse of the serene countenance, or seek personal audience with him. This love so much a part of religion is mutual, as Syedna TUS reiterates, "I know you love me dearly but I, your father, love you even more. You belong to me and I to you."