
Dawoodi Bohra

The Dawoodi Bohras (Arabic: داؤدی بوہرہ) are a sect within the Ismā'īlī branch of Shia Islam. Bohras mainly reside in the western cities of India, but are also found in Pakistan, Yemen and East Africa. The main language of the community is ""Lisan ud-Dawat"", a dialect of Gujarati with inclusions from Arabic and other languages.The Script used is Perso-Arabic.When in communal attire, a bohra male has a form of Tunic called Kurta, equally lengthy overcoat dress called Saya,and a izaar typically donned underneath, all of which are mostly white, along with a white and golden cap called Topi. Most men have a beard. A bohra woman wears a two piece dress called a rida.The Dawoodi Bohra follow a sort of Shi'ite Islam as propagated by the Fatimid Imamate in medieval Egypt. They pray 5 times a day, fast in the month of Ramadan, perform Hajj and Umrah and give zakah.The Dawoodi Bohras, being Ismailis and thus Jafaris, were included as Muslims in the Amman Message There are some criticism of the Amman message.The Bohras do stand out from other Islamic sects in some ways such as their outlook on the status of women. Prof Zainab Bano a Bohra Professor quoted that ""Dawoodi Bohras are out of the Muslim mainstream, but part of the national mainstream. There is gender equality and women's empowerment.""