Daily Mirror E-Paper

ADDING COLOUR TO THE LANKAN SOCIAL FABRIC...

A look at some of the communities whose numbers are small and dwindling but have contributed to the progress of the country

By Gayanga Dissanayaka and Chrishalle Augustin

“Nation's goals are our goals"

The Bohra community on trying time

The first Bohra to set foot on Sri Lankan soil at Galle, arrived after getting caught in a storm while trading between Maldives in 1830. It’s been around 200 years since that day, and this community has gradually grown over the years in Sri Lanka. Even though Bohras are a small community in the country with around 2,500 people, they are known to be committed in their efforts in making a positive impact on their nation as a united community.

“To keep the community together, we are driven with a common purpose, and that is to develop the nation and uplift people’s lives.” said Bohra community member, Mufaddal Zainudeen Adamjee sharing his thoughts.

Mufaddal is from the seventh generation of Bohras in Sri Lanka. “We are a community who are proud of our Lankan roots no matter where we travel to. And while we hold our own values, culture and identity, our community blends in according to where we live,” explained Mufaddal.

As Sri Lankans, Mufaddal explained how their life is a harmonious mixture and exchange of all communities in Sri Lanka. Language-wise, while all Bohras speak the national languages of the nation (Sinhala, and Tamil), they also speak their community language which is a combination of Gujarati, Arabic and Urdu. Even when it comes to cuisine, the Sri Lankan Bohra community has their own distinct recipes which have been given a touch of Sri Lankan cuisine, such as the addition of several spices and cashews. Mufaddal explained how they have dishes and sweets that are quite unheard of in Bohra communities of other countries since they have been adapted to suit the Sri Lankan palate. He also mentioned how their attire has been fused with Sri Lankan culture. “The sarong that the Bohras wear here is the Sri Lankan Batik Sarong’’ he said. Even though their attire is a visible part of their identity, one can find how traditional colours and designs add flair to it.

“We work as a community with our passion to improve the country and always try to align our goals with the goals of the nation,” said Mufaddal. The Bohras continuously strive to volunteer their time, expertise and community service to work towards this purpose and contribute to the country’s welfare. According to Mufaddal, how they keep the community together is basically through these community services. Mufaddal explained how they have a team of volunteers who bring their services to the community day in and day out. Some such initiatives are ensuring food security, hosting women empowerment programmes for women entrepreneurs to sell their products to the international market, holding environmental initiatives like beach, river and city cleanups and also initiating business growth and training programmes. He mentions how the Bohra community sets up community kitchens and delivers fresh food once a week to underprivileged houses in the cities. Mufaddal added that the younger Bohra community is very much involved in all these projects as well.

We work as a community with our passion to improve the country and always try to align our goals with the goals of the nation

The word “Bohra” itself means “to trade” and the Bohra community has been an active part of the Lankan economy since the past. Mufaddal explained how their community therefore consistently works with all the communities and industries in Sri Lanka to establish and promote trade, and also to take local products to the international market. Sri Lanka also hosted an annual gathering of the Bohra community, “Ashara Mubaraka” several times, which attracted people from all across the world reinforcing Sri Lanka as a peaceful and safe destination.

“Our vision is to help our country become self-sufficient and be able to advance ahead and compete on the global stage,” Mufaddal said. He explained how they would like to see Sri Lanka not only become self-sufficient in its food needs, but also take steps to export its excess agricultural produce and grains to the rest of the world. The Bohra community hopes to see Sri Lanka become a dominant country in business and trade, so that the nation can stand with success and confidence in the future.

As a community member, Mufaddal mentioned that they are proud and delighted to celebrate the 75th Independence Day of their beloved nation as Sri Lankans. The Bohra community believes in the power of standing together, united with every community in the face of all challenges, and to move forward as a self-sufficient country in order to achieve peace and prosperity as one triumphant nation.

SRI LANKA @ 75 | A COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

en-lk

2023-02-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-02-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://dailymirrorepaper.pressreader.com/article/284799290283935

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