Sharjah

History

The Dawoodi Bohra community’s roots in Sharjah trace back to the 1960s, a period marked by rapid transformation across the Trucial States. Early community members—mainly traders dealing in hardware, building materials, and household goods—were drawn to Sharjah’s strategic position as a gateway between commerce and culture.

Among the first to arrive were families with a spirit of quiet resilience and enterprise. They worked in close partnership with local residents, often setting up modest storefronts and forming relationships that would shape the community’s foundation. As the emirate developed its infrastructure and industries, community members expanded into various sectors, from construction and furniture to light manufacturing and shipping logistics.

Throughout the 1980s and 90s, the number of Dawoodi Bohras in Sharjah steadily grew. With an emphasis on education, self-reliance, and religious identity, the community evolved into a cohesive network of families who balanced entrepreneurial activity with a strong sense of civic duty. Today, the community in Sharjah stands as one of the largest Bohra populations in the UAE, numbering over 4,000 individuals.

Masjid

At the heart of the Dawoodi Bohra community’s spiritual life in Sharjah is the Burhani Masjid, located in the historic district of Al Manakh. Inaugurated in 2003 by the 52nd Sultan al-Bohra, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, the masjid draws its architectural inspiration from Cairo’s magnificent Fatimi masjids — al-Jami al-Anwar and al-Jami al-Aqmar — with remarkable detail.

Designed to serve both religious and educational functions, the masjid complex includes spaces for congregational prayer, Quran recitation, community gatherings, and social initiatives.
In February 2020, the masjid was expanded to meet the needs of the growing community population. The 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, inaugurated the extended complex during a historic visit. In his address, he expressed deep gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, for his continued support, and encouraged community members to remain steadfast in loyalty to the emirate and the UAE at large.

Community

The Dawoodi Bohra community in Sharjah is proud to be an integral part of the emirate’s social and professional landscape. While many are engaged in long-standing family businesses spanning retail, construction, textiles, and automotive supplies, others are involved in professions such as law, medicine, architecture, engineering, and information technology.

A growing number of younger Bohras are entering emerging fields including digital design, data science, and sustainable technologies. Community schools such as the local branch of the MSB Educational Institute provide a strong foundation, combining academic rigor with faith-based values and a focus on character development.

Engagements

Lead by the Islamic values of faith, service, and sustainability, the Dawoodi Bohra community in Sharjah actively participates in initiatives that contribute to the well-being of society and the environment.

Through Project Rise, the community’s global philanthropic initiative aimed at uplifting communities worldwide, the Bohras of Sharjah engage in local clean-up drives, food distribution efforts, health awareness campaigns, and environmental workshops. These activities are conducted in collaboration with local authorities and NGOs, aligning with Sharjah’s commitment to public welfare and ecological stewardship.

The community also regularly organizes blood donation drives and youth-led volunteering campaigns that foster compassion, civic awareness, and social responsibility. During times of crisis — such as the COVID-19 pandemic — members mobilised swiftly to distribute essential supplies and support local relief efforts, reflecting a longstanding ethos of solidarity.

Most recently, the community supported the Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation’s Prophet’s Neighbours endowment program, which provides sustainable care and empowerment for orphans and widows.

Volunteers join hands for the cleanup drive in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

News and Articles

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

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Sharjah Social Empowerment Foundation receives donation from Sultan of Dawoodi Bohra community

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Asma Kothambawala's inspiring story proves that disabilities do not define one’s abilities

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