To some communities, writing is not only for reading — it is for being. It is breathing life into their existence, it is understanding what was in the past, and what will be in the future. It is uncovering layers of human archaeology: a house, a loose window, or a library. It is digging, harvesting and seeding emblems of history, heritage, and identity. The vein of identity construction has always existed in the body of writing and storytelling. Storytelling customs exist in many cultures, serving various purposes, including education and faith. Yet for the Bohras — a Muslim community within the Ismaili branch of Shia Islam — one of the main purposes of writing is also to shape and preserve cultural memory, enabling communities to connect with their heritage. Who they are, who they will be, and why they are here are all questions that are answered through written manuscripts. As I walked into Zara Hashmi’s home in Texas, a large portrait of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin — the supreme leader of the Bohra Community — was hung on the wall. Hashmi is among the Bohras of Pakistan, who trace their…
Protecting Lost Worlds: The Bohra Community’s Relationship with Egypt
August 3, 2023
