Bradford Dawoodi Bohras mosque welcomes Addingham Women’s Institute
Bradford mosque welcomes members of the Women’s Institute.
The Dawoodi Bohras have lived and worked in Bradford harmoniously since the 1970s, but decades on are still inviting other groups in to learn more about their faith and way of life.
Earlier this month the community welcomed members of the city’s Addingham branch of the Women’s Institute (WI) for a special open day at their masjid.
The event provided an opportunity for the WI members to gain a deeper understanding of the faith and activities of the Dawoodi Bohra, a Muslim community hailing mainly from the western region of India which are known for being successful business people (the word “Bohra” comes from the Gujarati word for “trade”).
Visitors were given a guided tour of Adam Masjid, which included an introduction to the community’s history and practices.
During the tour, the 25 WI members observed children in their religious classes, learning about Quranic studies and the values central to the Dawoodi Bohra way of life.
A presentation further explained the key tenets of the faith, focusing on community values such as education, sustainability, and interfaith collaboration.
“We were delighted to open the doors of our masjid to the local Women’s Institute,” said Fatema Hotelwala, a representative of the Dawoodi Bohra community in Bradford.
"It was a fantastic opportunity to share our traditions, values, and practices with our neighbours. We believe that such interactions are key to building stronger, more cohesive communities, fostering mutual understanding and respect.”
Judy Kennedy, a member of Addingham’s WI, added: “We are grateful to the Dawoodi Bohra community for their warm hospitality and the insightful tour of their beautiful masjid.
"It was an enriching experience to learn more about their faith and witness the sense of community they have fostered, especially through the education of their children.”
The Dawoodi Bohra community regularly engages in initiatives to promote interfaith dialogue, environmental sustainability and charity work in the area.
This open day is one of many efforts to strengthen community ties and foster greater understanding of the diverse cultures and faiths in Bradford, they say.
Adam Masjid, their mosque, is the central meeting point for more than 60 Bohra families.
The WI, meanwhile, is the largest voluntary women’s organization in the UK, established in 1915 to provide women with educational opportunities, encourage skill development, and promote social and community involvement.
With more than190,000 members across the country, the WI plays an active role in addressing local and national issues, ranging from – like the Dawoodi Bohras - environmental conservation to health and wellbeing, while fostering friendships and community spirit.