Khuzaima Qutbuddin, who claimed Dawoodi Bohra leadership, passes away

Qutbuddin had challenged succession of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, son of the late Dai, as the 53rd Dai of Dawoodi Bohras. In January 2014, he had claimed to be the successor to his half brother Syedna Burhanuddin after his death claiming that the latter had conferred nass (announcement of successor) on to him. Burhanuddin’s son Mufaddal, too, made a similar claim for himself and has been largely followed as the Dai of the small-knit community. Qutbuddin, who is followed by a small section of Dawoodi Bohras, had reportedly decided to be succeeded by his son Taher Fakhruddin.

In a statement, Qutbuddin’s family confirmed, “Syedna Qutbuddin RA personally prepared his beloved son and made him like him in knowledge and character. This year on the 27th of Muharram, the urus Mubarak of Syedi Fakhruddin Shaheed RA, Syedna Qutbuddin RA appointed Syedna Taher as his successor and granted him the laqab Fakhruddin.”

The family of the late 52nd Dai Burhanuddin has been involved in a controversy with the fight between his half brother Qutbuddin and son Mufaddal for the next Dai’s position. Qutbuddin had shifted to a house in Thane soon after his half-brother’s death, while his son continued to live at the massive Malabar Hills house.

Both the families have also been involved in a legal battle over the guardianship of children in the family.