Jan. 6: Devendra Fadnavis, the chief minister of Maharashtra, has described the Dawoodi Bohra community as peace-loving and progressive.

Speaking at a huge gathering of Bohras who have gathered in Mumbai to mark the first death anniversary of their leader, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, the chief minister said the Bohras were hardworking and they contributed immensely to the GDP of the country.

Wearing the traditional Bohra cap, the BJP leader attended the Urs Majlis held at Saifee Masjid, Bhendi Bazaar, the main centre of the community, on Monday evening.

Fadnavis paid his respects to the late Syedna Burhanuddin in the presence of his son and successor Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. The meeting was also relayed by live video conferencing to over 700 Bohra centres around the world, including in Calcutta.

Last Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Syedna Mufaddal at the Raj Bhavan and acknowledged Syedna Burhanuddin's contribution to humanity. The Bohras are originally from Gujarat.

The Urs began on Friday with a procession to celebrate Eid-Milad-un-Nabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed, followed by the worldwide video relay of a recording of the Syedna Burhanuddin.

The late Syedna is buried at Raudat Tahera, a grand mausoleum in Mumbai, which has the entire Quran inscribed on the walls in letters of gold and precious stones. More than 3 lakh Bohras from 55 countries around the world have come to the city to homage to their spiritual leader.

Arrangements to host the visiting Bohras have been made in two specially built townships in south Mumbai, across 15 masjids and in the homes of 40,000 Bohra families living in the city.

Facilities such as online registration, special passes with time slots to visit Raudat Tahera, deployment of 3,500 volunteers and a medical corps, have been organised by the close-knit community that is known to be affluent and educated.

On Tuesday, the final day of the Urs, Syedna Mufaddal paid tributes at the mausoleum and delivered a sermon remembering his father. Syedna Mufaddal prayed for universal peace and national harmony. The sermon was watched live by more than 1 million Bohras around the world.