A religious gathering involving approximately 15,000 members of the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community concluded in Colombo on July 5, following a nine-day retreat that began on June 27. Participants travelled from 20 countries, marking the largest single group of overseas visitors to attend an event in Sri Lanka.
The programme was held simultaneously in India and Sri Lanka, with sermons delivered by the Dawoodi Bohra leader, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, from Chennai, India. In Colombo, community members attended live telecasts at designated venues.
Tourism and government authorities in Sri Lanka facilitated the event, which was hosted in both countries for the second consecutive year.
Many Dawoodi Bohras are engaged in trade in their respective countries. The community has established populations in India, the Middle East, East Africa, and other regions.
“We’re fortunate that Syedna Saifuddin has chosen our city as an overseas venue,” said Mufaddal Zainuddin, a member of the project management team in Colombo. “As we open our homes and hearts to welcome approximately 15,000 Dawoodi Bohras from different parts of the world, we are grateful to government authorities and local bodies for their extraordinary support and permissions in hosting attendees,” he added.
Attendees were accommodated in hotels, guesthouses, and rental homes, contributing to tourism numbers for June and July. Tourist arrivals in June reached 138,241, a 21.8 per cent increase from 113,470 in June 2024. Sri Lanka is targeting 2.5 million tourist arrivals in 2025, compared to two million last year.
The daily sermons focused on personal reflection, community unity, and ethical conduct, covering themes such as patriotism, compassion, discipline, environmental sustainability, and social service.
