Mar 21 2016 : Mirror (Ahmedabad)
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Madrassa organises community wedding for 75 couples, including 3 Hindu, in a grand affair on Sunday; mayor Gautam Shah blesses newlywed couples
The Jamia Faizanul Quran in Saraspur wore a festive look on Sunday as 75 yo ung couples tied the knot at a unique mass marriage in the madrassa -while 72 couples were from the Muslim community, three couples were Hindus. Interestingly, the movement that was started around three years ago has supported the marriage of 25 Hindu couples and hundreds of Muslim couples while spreading the message of communal harmony. Sunday's mass marriage ceremony was attended Mayor Gautam Shah who acknowledged the minority community's efforts in harbouring unity.
The mass marriage was reportedly organised with the help of donations from several Muslims, most of them non-resident Indians from United Kingdom.Each couple was provided an entire household set -including a refrigerator, a bed, furniture, utensils along with other essential commodities required for a comfortable life. As per a source who was part of the organising committee, “The household items were gifted to the couple but they belong to the brides who are starting a new life. The groom doesn't have any right on these items.“
As a maulana narrated the ayats from the Quran and a pundit recited shlokas from the Geeta, Maulana Habib Ahmed of the madrassa said, “This is the fourth mass marriage organised by the madrassa where both Hindu and Muslim couples have been married. In the last three years, nearly 25 Hindu couples have chosen this platform to begin their life.“
The maulana added that this year, there had been several more registrations but all except three Hindu couples backed out due to the Holashtak (a period of eight days before Holi that is considered inauspicious by most Hindu communities). “We are all Indians and we believe in the concepts of unity, integrity and patriotism; the mass marriage helps us implement our concepts and helps push this initiative of humanity and peace.“
Mayor Gautam Shah said, “I am extremely impressed with this initiative. This is a reflection of the unity in this city and the fact that none can separate us in the name of religion.“ Dinesh Sharma, leader of opposition in Ahmedabad Municipal blessed the newly-wed couples while advising the grooms to care for their wives citing the Hindu belief `a wife is the part of your body'. He said, “This is a great event that showcases communal harmony in the city.“
Taufik Khan Pathan, local corporator and one of the organisers of the event added, “We are thankful that citizens have shown nothing can divide us.“
http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31819&articlexml=3-shaadis-72-nikaahs-at-mass-marriage-event-21032016005009