Shahi Imam

The Shahi Imam is the Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, Mughal emperor Shahjahan appointed Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari, who came from Shah of Bukhera (Uzbekistan) the first Imam of the Mosque, to the high office of Imamat-e-Uzma, and conferred upon him the title of Shahi Imam. The current Imam is a descendent to the first imam that was appointed by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in a long line of family dynastic appointments. This is not how the appointments of Imams usually take place in other places around the world. However, in this case, because of the purported divine authority claimed by past monarchs, they conferred upon their subjects titles to carry on and this has become a trend ever since with the Imams of the mosque carrying on the traditions of family dynastic domination.

Imams of Jama Masjid

Shahi Imams of Jama Masjid include:

1. Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari (from 24 July 1656)
2. Syed Abdul Shakoor Shah Bukhari
3. Syed Abdul Raheem Shah Bukhari
4. Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari Thani
5. Syed Abdul Rehman Shah Bukhari
6. Syed Abdul Kareem Shah Bukhari
7. Syed Mir Jeewan Shah Bukhari
8. Syed Mir Ahmed Ali Shah Bukhari (till 16 October 1892)
9. Syed Mohammed Shah Bukhari (from 16 October 1892)
10. Syed Ahmed Bukhari (till 20 February 1942)
11. Syed Hameed Bukhari (20 February 1942 - 8 July 1973)
12. Syed Abdullah Bukhari (8 July 1973 - 14 October 2000)
13. Syed Ahmed Bukhari (14 October 2000 - November 2014 )
14. Syed shaban Bukhari ( November 2014 )