KARACHI: A new campus of Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah, the Arabic Academy which is the principal educational institute of the Dawoodi Bohra community, has been inaugurated in Langata, a suburb of Kenya’s capital Nairobi.

According to a press release issued here by Faize Hakimi, a trust which administers and manages the affairs of the Dawoodi Bohra Jamaat of Karachi, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and head of the Dawoodi Bohra community Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin performed the inauguration of the new campus.

It said the inaugural ceremony was attended by almost 200 national and international dignitaries and guests, as well as over 10,000 members of the Dawoodi Bohra community who had travelled from around the world to witness the historic event.

Speakers at the ceremony lauded the Dawoodi Bohra community for building the institution and said it demonstrated their level of commitment and seriousness for the cause of education.

During the ceremony, Dr Saifuddin was acknowledged by the Kenyan government for his phenomenal contribution in spreading the message of love, harmony and brotherhood, said the press release, adding that he was hailed for his piety, philanthropy and tireless efforts in uplifting people regardless of class, creed or colour.

President Kenyatta conferred on Dr Saifuddin Golden Heart of Kenya, the highest honour in the country.

In his speech, the Kenyan president commended the Dawoodi Bohra community for promoting tolerance and peace, saying that “you are a true representation of what Islam stands for,” adding “we must work together to show that Islam is not a religion of violence but a religion of peace”.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr Saifuddin said: “Our culture and education are founded upon certain principles among which are love for all people, service of humanity and kindness towards all creation. The first stipulation of our philosophy is to embrace all types of knowledge.”

Dr Saifuddin, the 53rd al-Dai al-Mutlaq and head of the community, is the institute’s benefactor, and gives it its direction and its inspiration, according to the press release.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2017