Dawoodi Bohra head Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin accepts chancellorship of Jamia Millia Islamia
Syedna Saifuddin has also been head of Aligarh Muslim University for two terms
Mumbai: The 53rd Al Dai Al Mutlaq and head of the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, has accepted the Chancellorship of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), a historic seat of learning in New Delhi.
Syedna Saifuddin was unanimously elected as the chancellor by members of the court of the Jamia Millia Islamia for five years, effective March 14, 2023.
Established in 1920, Jamia Millia Islamia is a Central University in New Delhi, India. JMI was ranked first among all central universities in India, according to a recent report released by the Ministry of Education of India.
Like his predecessors, especially his father Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin and grandfather Syedna Taher Saifuddin, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin remains committed to the causes of education and upholds their legacy of scholarship and patronage of centres of learning.
He is the sole benefactor of the Dawoodi Bohra community’s premier educational institute, Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Academy’s fourth campus in Mumbai last month.
Syedna Saifuddin has also held the Chancellorship of Aligarh Muslim University for two consecutive terms since 2015, a position held by both his predecessors as well.
Syedna Saifuddin’s administration oversees hundreds of schools and educational institutes across the world. He also administers several trusts, which provide grants and scholarships to deserving students, providing both women and men equal access to education.
In his sermons, Syedna has highlighted the importance of education for all and has called for greater investment in education to ensure that every child has access to quality education. Syedna is a keen advocate of digital literacy and in 2016 donated 1000 computers to a group of high schools in Aligarh, where he is also responsible for the restoration of the Syedna Taher Saifuddin High School at Minto Circle.
Recently, the Syedna announced his intent to help with the construction of a new School of Pharmacy at Aligarh Muslim University.