Sunni Bohra

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Sunni Bohras, also called Sunni Vohras or Vahoras, are a Muslim community from Gujarat, India. They share the same name as the Dawoodi Bohras, which often leads to confusion. Some families spell the name as Vora or Vahora, and Patel is a common surname among them.

Historically, Sunni Bohras played a big role in Indian Ocean trade. One famous merchant from this community was Mulla Abdul Ghafur, who was very wealthy in the 18th century. The community’s name is used by several Gujarati Muslim groups, and it is split into four sects.

Geography and sects:
- The Sunni Vohras of South Gujarat cover a broad area from Cambay to Valsad.
- North of the Narmada River are the Bharuchi Sunni Vohras.
- South of the Narmada River are the Surti Sunni Vohras.
- In the north, many Vohras use the Patel surname.

Traditionally, they were farmers and merchants. Some families have Middle Eastern ancestry from ancient settlements in South Gujarat. During Muslim rule in Gujarat, some members were converts from local landowning farming communities. Today, Sunni Bohras live in towns and villages of South Gujarat and in diaspora communities around the world, including South Africa, Canada, Britain, Burma, Zimbabwe, Barbados, Reunion (where they are called Zarabes), and Mauritius. They have helped found many early Sunni mosques and have contributed to technology and economy in various places.

Notable figures from this community include Mufti Menk, Hafiz Patel, Major Atchia, Ahmed Deedat, Ghulam Vastanvi, Mohsin and Zuber Issa, Alimuddin Zumla, and Ahmed Kathrada.

Patani Bohras, or Jafari Bohras, are converts of Ismaili Bohras in Patan during Gujarat’s Muslim rule. Some Dawoodi Bohras also converted from Mustaali Ismaili to Sunni Islam, led by Jafar Patani. In 1538, Syed Jafar Ahmad Shirazi, a missionary from Sindh, persuaded Patani Bohras to break ties with Ismaili Bohras, turning Patani Bohras into a distinct Sunni group.

Kadiwal Vohras live in Kadi and Ahmedabad and traditionally follow Pir Muhammad Shah. Charotar Vohras are in Anand and were converted from farming communities there during the Gujarat Sultans.