Shahi Imam

The Shahi Imam is the Imam of the Jama Masjid mosque in Delhi.

History

Mughal Emperor Shahjahan appointed Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari, who originally came from Shah of Bukhara, Uzbekistan to be the first Imam of the Mosque in 1656.^[1]

Imams of Jama Masjid

Shahi Imams of Jama Masjid include:^[2]

1. Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari (from 23 July 1656)
2. Abdul Shakoor Shah Bukhari
3. Abdul Raheem Shah Bukhari
4. Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari Thani
5. Abdul Rehman Shah Bukhari
6. Abdul Kareem Shah Bukhari
7. Mir Jeewan Shah Bukhari
8. Mir Ahmed Ali Shah Bukhari (until 16 October 1892)
9. Mohammed Shah Bukhari (from 16 October 1892)
10. Ahmed Bukhari (until 20 February 1942)
11. Hameed Bukhari (20 February 1942 – 8 July 1973)
12. Abdullah Bukhari (8 July 1973 – 14 October 2000)
13. Ahmed Bukhari I (14 October 2000 – present)
14. Shaban Bukhari (25 February 2024 – present) Ahmed Bukhari will continue as Imam until health emergencies and then Shaban Bukhari will succeed him at Imamat.^[3]

References

1. History of the first Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Delhi starting in 1656 AD, culturalindia.net website, Retrieved 18 May 2017
2. Imam Bukhari's family tree, twocircles.net website, Published 15 October 2008, Retrieved 18 May 2017
3. "Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid declares son Syed Shaban Bukhari as his 'successor'". CNBCTV18. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.