Sisi: Bohras’ role in revamping historical mosques integrates with state efforts to renovate Old Cairo

Egypts President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has praised the historical relations between Egypt and the Dawoodi Bohra community in India and expressed appreciation of the role of the Bohras in renovating a number of historical mosques in Egypt.

The President’s remarks came as he received on Monday Indian leader of Dawoodi Bohra sect, Sultan Mufaddal Saifuddin, accompanied by his sons Prince Jaafar Al-Sadiq Imad Al-Din, Prince Taha Najm Al-Din, and Prince Hussein Burhan Al-Din, in the presence of Head of General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel and representative of the Sultan in Cairo Mufaddal Muhammad.

Welcoming Sultan Saifuddin as a dear guest of Egypt, President Sisi noted that the Bohras and their Sultan have undertaken an appreciable role in restoring and renewing the mausoleums of Ahlul-Bayt (Prophet Mohamed’s family members) and some other mosques of historical value, Presidency spokesman Ahmed Fahmy said.

Such contributions, the President also noted, integrate with the state’s efforts to achieve development and its keenness to develop historic Cairo, renovate it and bring to light its genuine cultural character, spokesman Fahmy said.

For his part, Sultan Saifuddin expressed deep appreciation for Egypt, highlighting what it enjoys under the leadership of President Sisi in promoting citizenship on the basis of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, thereby guaranteeing a stable climate for social peace for all, the Presidency spokesman said.

He praised President Sisi’s faith in the importance of dialogue among all peoples of the world with their various denominations and ethnicities and the openness of Egypt to all religions and denominations, based on the long history of its people, its unique civilization and its accurate understanding of religion, spokesman Fahmy said.

Sultan Saifuddin also lauded the steady progress and the developmental achievements Egypt is enjoying under the leadership of the President Sisi, in addition to Egypt’s active role on the international and regional arenas and its support for the Islamic world’s causes, spokesman Fahmy said. The Bohra Sultan, he added, expressed sincere prayers for the continuation of security, stability and progress for the Egyptian people.

At the end of the meeting, President Sisi granted Sultan Saifuddin with the Nile Sash in acknowledgement of his constant efforts in Egypt on the cultural, charitable and societal levels, spokesman Fahmy said.