Bradford’s Dawoodi Bohra community has celebrated a prestigious award being handed to the global leader of their faith.

The Dawoodi Bohras are a Muslim denomination who have lived in Bradford since the 1960s.

The special event at Adam Masjid marked His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin being honoured with ‘Nishan-e-Pakistan’, Pakistan's highest civilian award.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

His Holiness, who resides in Mumbai, India, was recently presented with the Order of Pakistan by President Arif Alvi.

The award recognised the faith leader's contribution to health, education and the environment, as well as global peace and harmony.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A number of VIP guests attended the event at the beautifully decorated Adam Masjid A number of VIP guests attended the event at the beautifully decorated Adam Masjid (Image: Dawoodi Bohra community)

A number of VIP guests celebrated the occasion, including Dr Amir Khan, Bradford West MP Naz Shah, and Sofia Buncy, Deputy Lord Lieutenant for West Yorkshire.

Other attendees included Zahid Ahmed Khan Jatoi, Consul General of Pakistan in Bradford; Sajid Azeb, COO and Deputy CEO of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Dr Javed Bashir of Strengthening Faith Institutions; Church pastor Nathan Javed; Azeem Sarwar of Council for Mosques; and Councillor Fozia Shaheen.

Raaj Cochin, a member of the Bradford Dawoodi Bohras, said, “Many Dawoodi Bohras came to the UK from Pakistan, and so we are exceptionally proud that His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, the global leader of our faith, has been honoured with Pakistan's highest civilian award.

“We feel blessed and grateful that we have been joined in our celebrations by guests of such distinction.”