Mass marriages: 25 couples say ‘I do’

Grand function hosted by Minhaj Welfare Foundation for over 2,000 guests.

FAISALABAD:

Twenty five couples tied the knot in a mass wedding ceremony organised by the Minhaj Welfare Foundation (MWF) at Minhajul Quran Islamic Centre in Gulfishan Colony Ground on Monday.

Over 2,000 guests attended a grand function organised by the Minhaj Welfare Foundation. “We are extremely grateful to have the opportunity to help so many people. We have been working on this event for months and each of the couples being wed here today have been given a dowry and other household items to help them start their futures together,” said a volunteer Moeen Sadiq.

Sarfraz Ahmad Qadri and Qari Muhammad Azam performed the Nikah ceremony, while the Minhaj Welfare Foundation provided a dowry of Rs100,000 to each couple. “This is a very special event and we wish all the couples well. These people could not have afforded such an extravagant function on their own and now they each have something to help them build on,” said Qari Azam.

Minhaj Foundation workers said that each couple was provided with a dowry which included several household items as well as furniture. “The dowry includes a copy of the Holy Quran, the Jae Namaz, a cupboard for crockery, a double bed, chairs, table, a trunk and a small drum for keeping flour. There is also a suit case, sewing machine, washing machine, fan, iron, clock, steel cutlery, dinner set, quilts for the double bed, cushions, mats (daris), tea sets and other necessary items,” said organiser Khawar Hassan. “We are proud to give these people a fresh start. Most of them had nothing to begin with and now they have something to help them build on,” he added.

“I am glad because I know I could never have afforded such a lavish wedding for my daughter. She even has a dowry and they will have work. My daughter can sew and earn money and the centre has given her a sewing machine,” said Iftikhar, the father of bride Kiran.

The foundation also presented a golden nose pin and wristwatch for each couple in addition to serving a meal for all the wedding guests.

Central administrator Minhajul Quran International Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi presided over the event in which District Coordination Officer (DCO) Naseem Sadiq, Punjab Ameer-i-Tehreek Ahmad Nawaz Anjum, Central Nazim MWF Syed and other prominent civil society members also took part.

Dr Abbasi, DCO Naseem Sadiq and Allama Arif Siddiqui addressed the function and paid tribute to Minhajul Quran Foundation for its philanthropic activities.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2011.