Bohra community pledges maximum support

Towards economic growth through Burhani Expo 2011:

The Burhani Expo Serendib International Trade Exhibition 2011 was opened by Sri Lanka Parliament Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa

at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC) last week. It was a joyous occasion for the entire Bohra population to celebrate the 100th birthday of their spiritual leader, Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb and the Anjuman E Saifi (Sri Lanka) Trust organized the Burhani Expo Serendib International Trade Exhibition 2011 as a mark of respect for their beloved spiritual leader. The distinguished gathering at the opening ceremony also included several MPs, representatives from the diplomatic community, the business community and the members of the Dawoodi Bohra community.

Welcoming everyone with his speech, Anjuman E Saifi (Sri Lanka) Trust, Secretary Shk. Shabbri Sh Asgerally stressed the importance of spiritual guidance specially when it comes to business activities. “Through his astute guidance and blessings, our business community has grown from the early beginnings, into a vibrant, forward thinking and successful group ready to take on challenges in various fields and more importantly we have been impressed upon to do ‘Halal’ business.

We have initiated business during difficult times when Sri Lanka needed business most, he said. “With the visit of Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb to Sri Lanka in 2007 and 2008 a number of businesses such as tourism, the airline industry and the hotels sector were relived, at that time of downturn. With Sri Lanka as an emerging market, the vibrant Dawoodi Bohra community would actively take part in its resurgence,” he said.

The chief guest of the occasion Chamal Rajapaksa, admired Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb by saying “100 years of history for an institute is unique but 100 years for a human being is historical”.

While commenting on the effective and dynamic entrepreneurship of the Bohra community he reflected on a successful medical and eye clinic organized by them in Tissamaharama in the recent past.