From Youssra El-Sharkawy
Cairo:Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has met India-based spiritual leader of Dawoodi Bohra community Sultan Muffadal Saifuddin who donated 10 million Egyptian pounds to Long Live Egypt Fund and showed his community’s interest in investing in the country.

President Sisi yesterday received Saifuddin, his brother and his sons – princes Hassan and Jafaar Al-Sadar – as well Mofdal Hassan, the representative of the Dawoodi Bohra sultan in Egypt, said a statement by the Egyptian presidency.

During their meeting, Sisi praised the efforts of the Dawoodi Bohra community in Egypt in restoring historical mosques, the statement added.

The community has restored the famous Fatimid historical Al-Hakim Mosque, Juyushi Mosque, Aqmar Mosque and Al-Lolola Mosque in Cairo. The community is committed to charitable work like building schools.

Dawoodi Bohras are a sect within the Ismaili Shia branch of Islam.

Located mainly in India and Pakistan, Egypt has been home to a Dawoodi Bohara community since the 1970s.

Saifuddin also discussed the contribution of the Dawoodi Bohra community in India in developing slums, the statement added.

At the same time, he praised Egypt’s progress in achieving security and stability over the past two years. He praised the religious freedom achieved in Egypt and expressed his community’s interest for investments in Egypt.

He donated EGP 10 million to Long Live Egypt Fund. This is not the first time the Indian Bohra leader donated to the fund, as in 2014 he donated EGP 10 million to the same fund.

The fund was opened by the Egyptian government to receive donations from businessmen to support the country’s economy.

India’s Ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharyya tweeted the photo of Bohra Sultan with President Sisi and said “Indian Bohras contribute to Egypt growth and development”.