Muslim body in India seeks end to dowries, lavish weddings

© the brand new guidelines limit wedding processions, fireworks, dancing and lavish feasts [File: Amit Da... the new guidelines prohibit wedding processions, fireworks, dancing and lavish feasts [File: Amit Dave/Reuters]

A well-liked Muslim organization in India has launched new instructions, asking the group to shun dowries and indulgent marriages after a girl these days died by suicide because of "dowry harassment".

In an 11-aspect guiding principle issued final week, the All India Muslim very own law Board (AIMPLB) asked the Muslims to take an "oath" to chorus from demanding dowry and maintain the bridal ceremony basic without "needless rituals, customs and extravagant activities".

The AIMPLB is commonly regarded because the representative of Indian Muslims, who constitute greater than 14 % of India's 1.three billion population.

The physique's instructions, contained in a document launched for Muslims to signal and observe, had been launched by way of AIMPLB chairman Maulana Rabe Hasan Nadvi.

The flow comes after a Muslim woman in the western Indian state of Gujarat died via suicide last month by way of drowning herself in a river, alleging physical abuse over dowry via her husband and in-legal guidelines.

Her suicide prompt a countrywide debate over social evils linked to marriage amongst Muslims and other communities.

The AIMPLB mentioned it has launched a ten-day drive to participants of the group across the country and to raise consciousness against such evils.

all through the crusade, Muslim students and leaders will place emphasis on solemnising marriages in response to Islamic customs and minimise spending during weddings.

the brand new instructions limit marriage ceremony processions, fireworks, dancing and extravagant feasts, calling them un-Islamic. It handiest allows for "Dawat-e-Walima", a feast served by the groom's household after marriage ceremony rituals are completed.

The Muslim body noted invites for such feasts may still also be prolonged to negative and needy participants of the group.

Maulana Umrain Mahfooz Rahmani, AIMPLB secretary, talked about it isn't right to assert that measures to end social evils like dowries are being taken all of sudden.

"The Muslim own legislations Board has been working for years to bring forth decent changes in society and motivates Muslims to end dangerous practices and customs. as far as marriage is concerned, work has been performed on it for years in order that the evil practices that have turn into associated with it could be curbed," he advised the Anadolu agency.

Rahmani spoke of Muslim marriages in India are hardly solemnised in mosques. however now a very good trade is taking region and a large variety of marriages are being performed in mosques and many un-Islamic rituals have ended, he delivered.

despite the adjustments, he talked about, the "painful factor" is that many terrible women nonetheless dwell unmarried as their families are unable to spend a lot of money.

"there are many others who're struggling even after marriage because the dowry demand continues and the girl's husband and his family unit retain pressuring her to bring extra dowries," he said.

"Many women commit suicide as they're unable to endure the actual and mental harassment. To conclusion all these things, a new guiding principle has been made and it is being labored on all over the nation."

Rahmani observed AIMPLB members are across the country. "among them are normal Muslims from a move-part of Indian Muslim society reminiscent of religious leaders, legal professionals, politicians, students and other experts. they've been requested to work on this of their respective areas," he spoke of.

"throughout the remaining three Fridays, discussions and arguments took region within the mosques after the Friday prayers and the harms of the dowry system and mega wedding ceremonies have been defined to the individuals. individuals travelling the mosques for providing namaz [prayers] are being told to prevent dowries and extravagance."

Zafaryab Jilani, a renowned AIMPLB member, emphasised the Islamic theory that marriage is a contract.

"Our effort is to make nikah [marriage] easy and simple for the individuals," he noted.

"We desire them to avoid spending money unnecessarily in marriages if you want to current a great illustration before society."