Pomp irks Muslim elders

Hyderabad: Pomp at Muslim weddings has attracted criticism from several sections within the community. Many term it as flouting of the basic religious principles of maintaining simplicity as propounded by religious figures.

According to Mr Aleem Khan Falki, founder of the Social Reform Society, Muslims spend close to Rs 4,000 crore on marriages every year. “There is a wide difference in spending between the poor and the affluent. While the underprivileged struggle to arrange money, especially the girls’ families, the affluent and the upper middle class waste huge amounts. A large quantity of food is wasted,” he said.

Mr Mohd Mustaq Malik, president of Tehreek-e-Muslim Shabban, said the community needed to introspect on the issue. NGOs with their slogan, ‘Ek khana, Ek meetha’ (One dish, one dessert), have succeeded in spreading the message to some extent in the districts.

“More needs to be done by religious scholars and leaders. The imams who lead the prayers have a major role to play in spreading the message,” he said.

“The lower middle class and middle class families spend anywhere between Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh on weddings. The expenses on function halls and food constitute half the expenditure. To compete with each other, the families borrow money on interest or mortgage their property, and land in a financial mess,” Mr Malik said.

Religious leaders feel the same but cannot do much when it comes to bringing in reforms. Scholars say the community should avoid unnecessary practices which have made their way in over a period of time. 

“In the interests of the community and the poor families, we should get rid of such practices,” said Mufti Khaleel Ahmed, rector, Jamia Nizamia.