National Committee for Legal Redressal and Justice Seminar: Shehzada Dr Abdeali Bhaisaheb’s Speech

On July 28, in New Delhi a conference was organized to discuss the importance of personal law in the diverse cultural, religious landscape of India. Shehzada Dr Abdeali Bhaisaheb presented a 4-point RISE Framework which he said was essential to safeguard religious freedom and personal liberties.

In this talk he discussed the historical background of the Dawoodi Bohras, especially focusing on the shift of the headquarters from Yemen to India and the relative calm, safety, freedom and good prosperity Dawoodi Bohras experienced in India because of constitutional and personal freedoms post independence.

Shz Abdeali Bhaisaheb emphasized that importance of all Muslims working together to bring about real and lasting solutions and social improvement. He explained that unity does not mean eliminating diversity – and narrated an anecdote in which a Muslim scholar suggested to Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA that we should gather all Muslim leaders and unify belief and practice. Syedna Taher Saifuddin replied to him that this was neither practice nor desirable – given the breadth of differences it is instead important to lay foundations based on what is common to us.

Shz Abdeali Bhaisaheb then briefly explained the four elements essential to safeguarding personal religious freedoms and personal liberties: RISE.

1. Respect for Diversity and Unity

2. Identity through Liberty

3. Self-Governance (To protect fundamental rights, Introspection, Evolution, Accountability)

4. Enlightened Society/ Leadership and Education

Click play below to view the 15 min audio recording in which he explains these four elements