Shk Saifuddin Jaferjee was one of the pioneering Bohra businessmen of Cairo. In his interview with Misbah, he reminisces on the times preceding the inauguration of Al Jame ul Anwar.

1. Can you tell us how your father was initiated into the khidmet of dawat?

My father, Shk. Abidali, was studying at St Xavier's College in Mumbai, when Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb (RA) gave him raza for the sabaq of Taweel and Haqiqat. My parents were also honored with long private audiences with Muqaddas Maula (RA) which drew them closer to dawat and its khidmet.

2. You first came to Qahera as a student in the A.U.C. What were your first impressions of Qahera?

I came to Cairo in Dec 1975 - after attending imtihaan for mustafideen with my father in Surat. Aqa Maula (TUS) had instructed that I go to Cairo for studies.

When I landed in Cairo, I was but 16 and the airport authorities quarantined me for 5 days since I was coming from India and did not have a cholera certificate...I roamed the streets of Cairo desperately looking for a place to study and was admitted to Helwan University - which had 250 students per class and no chairs to sit on - the first few months were miserable with no money, cold weather and unhappy dwellings. (I was in Tobgi lane - living with Dr. Yunus and approx 6 guys in one apartment).

Whilst exploring Cairo, I found myself in front of the AUC - I determined to make every effort to obtain admission. After sitting a very competitive exam (150 applicants for only 3 seats) I managed to qualify and obtain a scholarship by Aqa Maula's (TUS) dua mubarak.

3. Give us a brief account of your involvement in the khidmet of Al Jame ul Anwar. How were resources met, both in terms of finance and manpower? Can you also describe some of the legal and political aspects that had to be considered, in view of the fact that foreigners were undertaking an architectural project in Egypt?

Whilst I was studying, Shehzada Mufaddal Bhaisaheb instructed all of us living in Cairo to start cleaning Al Jame ul Anwar. It was in a very bad state with a school inside the grounds and horrible odors from the Mehrab area.

When this was reported to Aqa Maula (TUS), a remittance was sent for cleaning up the masjid...thus began the process of restoration.

It was then that my family decided to contribute a substantial amount towards the project.

During this period Shehzada Najmuddin Saheb made all the necessary arrangements with Syed Tohami (from the President's office) to get this massive project started - and with Shehzada Mufaddal Bhaisaheb's drive it was completed in a record period of 27 months. We, the mumineen in Cairo, contributed our wee bit-we laid bricks, broke walls and carried wood.

Our entire community was enthused and word spread through Egypt that the Bohras were undertaking the restoration of Al Jame ul Anwar.

4. How did the Egyptian people respond to the shanaat of Aqa Maula (TUS)? What facilities did the government extend for the inauguration ceremony?

The Government of Egypt accorded a warm welcome to Huzurala (TUS) and extended every co-operation for housing and visas to facilitate the visit of the 10,000 mumineen who came to attend the inauguration ceremony. The late Egyptian President Anwar Sa'adat himself attended the inauguration ceremony with Aqa Maula (TUS) which received extensive media and TV coverage.

5. Aqa Maula (TUS) has stated time and again that barakat in dawat has become manifold from the day we built Al Jame ul Anwar. You have been witness to this meteoric rise-can you tell us how the Dawoodi Bohra community has grown and prospered in Qahera?

Before the inauguration of Al Jame ul Anwar, there were only a handful of Bohra students in Cairo, struggling hard to earn a living.

After iftetah the numbers rose sharply and today we number about 450. Mumineen who were once in service, now own shops and small scale businesses, and are now diversifying into manufacturing and industry. In all, there has been a phenomenal rise in the economic level of mumineen--the barakat of Al Jame ul Anwar.

6. Can you relate for us your success story-how did you establish and expand your business in Qahera?

Aqa Maula's (TUS) dua mubarak is the key to my success. In 1982 I had the honor of hosting Aqa Maula (TUS) at my home - a house with makeshift curtains and no furniture. Muqaddas Maula has said that barakaat lies under the feet of Burhanuddin Maula. From that day onwards, began my success story. A very simple indenting office turned into a multi-million dollar trading and industrial firm engaged in tea, cereals, legumes, grains, spices, and well known for its name and integrity.

7. You have been honored with the personal khidmet of Maula (TUS) whenever he visits Qahera. Can you recall some special moments?

Driving Aqa Maula's (TUS) car, hosting Aqa Maula (TUS) at my house, accompanying Maula (TUS) in the lift, preparing Maula's rooms, and being appreciated by Maula (TUS) for making a good cup of tea, are some of the many special moments that I can recall.

I have also been honored by the sharaf of hadiyat in Al Jame ul Anwar and having my daughter's nikah performed by Aqa Maula (TUS).

I was graced with the sharaf of Maula's utara ten times between 1982 and 1990. I observed whilst doing talaqqi that Aqa Maula (TUS) would recite salaam loudly as he entered the bedroom. In my ignorance, I wondered why and asked Busaheba why Maula was praying salaam on an empty room. She explained to me that farishta were waiting upon Maula… I felt so naïve and my marefat of Maula's greatness increased many times over.