The Rich Mix

If you were to walk into the San Francisco markaz at 1121 Old Canyon Road today, you would see a variety of mumineen that have come here in search of a better life. We have families that have been here since the beginning as well as those that have just moved here. We have single men, single women, newly married couples, immediate families and even extended families. We have grandparents in our community as well as dozens of little children that will some day be the future of this jamaat. But it hasn't always been this way. The San Francisco jamaat, just like any other jamaat in the United States, had a very humble beginning. The rich history of this jamaat is colored with memorable events that have made it what it is today. Those that were present fondly remember the early days, and those that were not have missed out on nothing short of a miracle that was possible only by our beloved Aqa Moula's (TUS) dua and barakaat.

The Pioneers

The "pioneers" of the San Francisco jamaat have been around since the 1950's. Just as many young mumineen come today to pursue further education in the United States, our pioneers were no different. Ali Asghar Bhaisaheb Zainuddin was the first mumin bhai in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a student at Stanford University, he was the reason that the rest of the pioneers came here. By the raza mubarak of Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb, they came to this foreign land in search of a better life. Yet what they came to was nowhere near what a young mumin comes to today. There were no existing jamaats for support, zero acquaintances, and very few foreigners at all. You can be pretty sure that when they came to California no one from back home had sent any parcels for people they knew!

In the early 1960's, there were less than five known mumineen settled in the Bay Area. Though so few in number, they did not forget their religious duties or their culture. When they came to the United States, Aqa Moula asked them to never stop praying namaaz or to lose their identity. It is this waseeyat from Moulana that kept them strong in their belief and allowed them to thrive in a culture so different from their own. It was the 1960's and the Bay Area was the heart of the Hippie movement that swept the colleges and universities they were a part of. Rather than become a part of it, they observed this new culture from a safe distance and never surrendered their uniqueness.

The first majlises held here in the Bay Area were very different from what you would see today. In the beginning, there were only a few members present. Janab Ali Asghar Bhaisaheb Zainuddin was the president of the community and had Aqa Moula's (TUS) raza to perform bayaan and lead namaaz. Sheikh Taher bhai Ezzy was also one of the early pioneers and he remains as the earliest active member of this jamaat. There was not a markaz so gatherings were usually held in their homes. Women and parents were nowhere to be seen, and you can forget about seeing children running around. The men wore whatever they felt was appropriate and their faces were cleanly shaved. Yet even in those days, their belief was alive and well and their love of Aqa Moula (TUS) was strong. Slowly, their number grew and a small, tightly knit community started to form. They were very close and cherished each other's friendship dearly because that was all they had.

The Beginnings of a Family

In the early 1960's, Shehzadi Maryam Bahensaheba was the first Shehzadi Saheba to visit the Bay Area. Because of her outgoing personality, she reached out to many people outside of our community and made lasting friendships for all the mumineen here.

Towards the late 1960's, different Shehzadas started visiting California. Shehzada Qasim Bhaisaheb Hakimuddin Saheb was amongst the first to come, along with Shehzada Ali Asghar Bhaisaheb Kalimuddin Saheb. They came to share Aqa Moula's (TUS) sweet words of advice and to prepare the mumineen for a visit by Aqa Moula (TUS) himself.

As the years passed, and a new decade started, many of the young bachelors that had initially come here to study, finished their schooling and went back home to get married and bring their wives to the United States. They entered the work force and started their families. Along with the new additions to the families came ceremonies such as the naming ceremony and aqiqahs, which had never been done here before. Everything was a new experience and as the demographics of the community changed, so did the interaction within it.

Aqa Moula (TUS) visits San Francisco

In early 1978, Shehzada Malik-ul-Ashtar Bhaisaheb Shujauddin Saheb visited the Bay Area for the first time. At that time, Shehzada Saheb had promised the mumineen of the Bay Area that he would bring Aqa Moula to San Francisco as soon as he could. It was imtehaan time in Surat Jamea, and Shehzada Saheb made a historic call to Aqa Moula (TUS). He did araz that the mumineen of San Francisco were desperately waiting for him to come. He did araz that "Aap nay padhaaro to mumineen nu dil naaraaz thase". After that heartfelt araz, mumineen knew that Moula would be coming their way soon. The imtehaan program in Surat was put on hold and Moula decided to come to San Francisco.

In 1978, Aqa Moula (TUS) Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb visited California for the first time. Those that were present, shamefully recall how they had gone to receive Aqa Moula (TUS) at the airport in suits and ties. Yet they also remember that regardless of that, Aqa Moula (TUS) did not look down upon them. He had come here to save them, and did so by showering the mumineen here with barakaat. They were given the sharaf of ziyafats and several were bestowed with mafsooyat sharaf. Like an angel, he came to save them and to show them right from wrong and make them stronger in their imaan. Many of the young children had done deedar of Aqa Moula (TUS) for the first time and very few of the adults had ever experienced such closeness to Moula. His noorani kalemaat filled the hearts and souls of the mumineen. It was as if though a father had come to visit his children for the first time in their new home and was teaching them lessons to live their lives by.

It was during that visit that the San Francisco Jamaat was officially established. Aqa Moula (TUS) had breathed new life into the mumineen and from then on there was no looking back. The barakaat he left behind then is what makes this jamaat what it is today. It was nothing short of a miracle.

Shehzada Malik-ul-Ashtar Bhaisaheb giving sabaq in 1978

Growth and Prosperity

Janab Turab Bhaisaheb Zakiuddin was the first official aamil of the San Francisco jamaat. During his time here, the jamaat grew considerably in size. At first, the jamaat used to look for different halls and churches to rent for our gatherings. Then by Aqa Moula's (TUS) raza and dua mubarak, and much himmat from Shehzada Ali Waqar Qaaid Johar Bhaisaheb Ezzuddin Saheb the jamaat bought a beautifully serene markaz situated at the foothills of a green valley in the city of Fremont.

In 1986, Aqa Moula (TUS) visited the San Francisco jamaat for the second time and a world of difference had taken place since 1978. The jamaat had become well established and the families had grown in size and number. The first generation of children born in San Francisco had become older and was ready to have their misaaq taken. The men had full beards and the women were wearing ridas. Many had gotten out of riba and several others were trying. Ziyafats were booked and there was an unparalleled festivity in the air. The jamaat had really gelled and had worked very hard to prepare for this much anticipated visit. The markaz was decorated inside and out as it had never been before. Deep friendships that centered around the love of our Aqa Moula (TUS) had been fostered in the community. Not only as a jamaat, but even in their personal and professional lives, mumineen had prospered to great extents. We were still reaping the benefits of the first visit and this time around, everyone knew Moula had come back to give us more.

During that visit, Shehzada Qaaid Johar Bhaisaheb was instrumental in establishing a strong Qarzan Hasana scheme in this jamaat and helping people to escape the sins of riba. This jamaat was the first at that time to whole-heartedly embrace this farmaan. The jamaat was bestowed with the honor of being part of the "owal saff".

At that time, the San Francisco jamaat was approximately 60 families strong. It was a small jamaat by numbers, but a very big jamaat by heart. Aqa Moula (TUS) granted us the azeem sharaf of performing Eid-Ul-Adha here that year. We are very proud of that time and still have fond memories of mumineen all over the parking lot helping out in some way or the other. There were 41 naseebdar sacrificial lambs that day. It was an unforgettable event and accomplishment that could have never been possible without the dua mubarak of our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS). And to this day, it remains unparalleled anywhere in the United States.

In 1987, Shehzada Abdul Taiyab Bhaisaheb Zakiuddin Saheb had his sudden demise here in San Francisco. The farmaan from Aqa Moula (TUS) was to lay him to rest in the most afzal of places. He is now madfoon in the room in the markaz where Aqa Moula's (TUS) thaal was put in 1986. The San Francisco Jamaat and markaz have the azeem and unique sharaf that Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb's shehzada, his nishani, has been left in our markaz and his ziyarat is here.

Fremont Markaz in 1986

Shehzada Qaaid Johar Bhaisaheb at the markaz

Reception for Aqa Moula (TUS) at the airport in 1986

Presenting Najwa to Aqa Moula (TUS) in 1986

Aqa Maula (TUS) - horse & carriage procession in 1986

Ziyarat of Shehzada Abdul Taiyab Bhaisaheb Zakiuddin Saheb

The Last Decade of a Historic Millennium

In 1991, the San Francisco jamaat was led by our second aamil, Janab Noman Bhaisaheb Zainuddin. During his time, the jamaat continued to grow in size. Mumineen's ikhlaas and devotion started reaching new heights as we started to go to Aqa Moula's (TUS) hazrat more and more rather than wait for him to come back to us. Going for Ashara became common every year and the mumineen that went would bring back barakaat that the entire jamaat prospered from.

In 1992, Janab Ahmed Bhaisaheb Zainuddin became the aamil of the San Francisco jamaat. He was the first full-time aamil we had. A new Darul Imaarat was established and several more families had moved to the Bay Area. The jamaat was still growing and as the Silicon Valley experienced unprecedented technological growth, the jamaat also had an influx of young ambitious members that were a part of this field. Along with them, they brought a renewed passion and enthusiasm. We continued to prepare ourselves for another visit by Aqa Moula (TUS) to San Francisco. Mumineen and muminat worked hard to ready the markaz once more. Those that were mere children during the 1978 visit were now in charge of several things as they prepared for their first real chance to khidmat of their beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) in their land. The first generation of American-born mumineen and muminat was now ready. The jamaat was strong. A Burhani Women's Association and a Shabaab-ul-Eiddiz-Zahabi had also been established.

In 1994, Shehzada Ali Waqar Qaaid Johar Bhaisaheb Ezzuddin Saheb spent much time in the Bay Area to implement programs that were entirely new for any jamaat in the United States. It was through his amazing efforts that on May 12, 1994, Dawat-e-Hadiyah America was established as a sovereign corporation and our constitution became a registered entity that detailed our practices and traditions as Dawoodi Bohras in the United States. This was a very important accomplishment because it was the first time in history that Dawoodi Bohras in the United States were viewed as a single entity practicing under a common set of by-laws. It was a major set back for the dushman of Dawat because they were no longer able to criticize our beliefs and our ways. The preamble of the constitution started with Aqa Moula's (TUS) own words,

"Whereas Dawat-e-Hadiyah, as believed by Ahl-al-Dawat (people of the Dawat), is Allah's mission having sovereignty over the Heavens and the Earth."

In 1996, Aqa Moula (TUS) visited the San Francisco jamaat for the third time. He was pleased with the mumineen there and fondly remembered the then new markaz he had visited ten years ago. This was a markaz that had served as a madrasa now for so many of our children. It was a markaz that had been the center of several happy and sad occasions. It was a loved markaz that we soon hoped to turn into our masjid. During this visit, Aqa Moula (TUS) graciously did taameer of our masjid. He spent five days here and mumineen reaped barakaat in all ways.

Mukasir Saheb Hussain Bhaisaheb Hussamuddin Saheb visits the Bay Area

Shehzada Ammar Bhaisaheb Jamaluddin Saheb visits the Bay Area

Aqa Maula (TUS) visits San Francisco in 1996

Procession with Aqa Maula (TUS) in 1996

Aqa Maula (TUS) performing bayan in 1996

Aqa Maula (TUS) in 1996 - Zohar Namaz

The Present Day Leads to a Promising Future

Since that time, the San Francisco Jamaat has continued to grow in size and devotion. Our current Aamil Saheb is Janab Muslim Bhaisaheb Zainuddin who had been a part of this jamaat for several years prior to returning as aamil. Through continued visits from various Sahebs, we have been turning our dreams of building a masjid in our jamaat into reality. Plans have been drawn up and submitted in the city. We anticipate the start of construction of our masjid once that process is complete. This year, during the barakaat of Shehrullah Mubarak, a renewed motivation has been cast upon all of us and we are dedicated now more than ever to organize and to build a masjid in our town. The Shabaab of San Francisco was re-energized and has become extremely active by the dua mubarak of Aqa Moula (TUS). Along with the Shabaab, the entire jamaat has been re-energized and a new Masjid Tameer committee will soon be put in place. We have passed a resolution that within one year's time, we will inshallah have a masjid ready for Moula to visit and accept where our markaz now stands. Recently, the San Jose Jamaat was also formed and is now a separate entity.

It has now been three long years since Aqa Moula (TUS) has visited San Francisco. The millennium is coming to an end and almost fifty years have passed since the first mumineen came to the Bay Area. A lot has happened in fifty years and a lot has changed. Yet one thing that has not changed is our undying devotion and love for our Aqa Moula (TUS).

The next time you walk into the markaz at 1121 Old Canyon Road, think about how much shukr to Aqa Moula (TUS) is waajib on us. Think about all that has passed to bring us where we are today. Think about how much more there still is to do for our Moula. It is through his dua mubarak and all the hardships he undertook by coming here and bestowing nemat upon this jamaat that we are what we are today. The benefits of his patience, his graciousness, and his fatherly love will remain fresh in our hearts until that day he visits us again. May Khuda Ta'ala grant our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) a long and healthy life and may we become the way he has so patiently waited for us to become through our ikhlaas, our ilm, and our every amal. Ameen.

Shehzada Malik-ul-Ashtar Bhaisaheb in 1999

Mumineen ponder about the future