Mass marriage ceremony gives new beginnings to 16 families

Hyderabad, December 28: A mass marriage ceremony held in the Old City of Hyderabad on Saturday brought new beginnings to 16 young couples from different districts of Andhra Pradesh. The couples had gathered in the city to participate in the collective wedding organised by Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Moashira, a voluntary organisation that has been facilitating such ceremonies for more than three decades.

Apart from conducting mass marriages, the Anjuman is also involved in vocational training and skill-empowerment programmes. Speakers at the event emphasised the importance of simplicity, mutual respect and companionship as the pillars of a stable married life, while underlining the social relevance of collective weddings in reducing financial stress on families.

Member of Legislative Assembly Jaffer Hussain Meraj, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest, congratulated the young grooms and lauded the organisation for undertaking the noble initiative. He said ‘more people should come forward to support such community welfare initiatives’ while terming the mass marriage ceremony a ‘sacred’ deed to unite these families.

Minority Commission Chairman Tariq Ansari, while addressing the gathering, lauded the sustained efforts of the Anjuman and called upon the newlyweds to lead lives of dignity and modesty. He said mass marriage initiatives played a vital role in discouraging extravagance and contributing to the social well-being of future generations.

President of the Anjuman, Dr Mohammed Mushtaq Ali, said the organisation had facilitated nearly 800 marriages so far through Zakat, Sadaqat and public donations. He added that as part of the support extended to the couples, essential household items including an almirah, bed with mattress, utensils and other necessities worth about ₹50,000 were provided to each couple.

Maulana Abdul Majeed Nizami, who recited the Khutbah-e-Nikah, stressed that Islam does not endorse the practice of dowry and clarified that the items distributed were meant only to help economically weaker couples begin married life with dignity. He said the faith encourages marriages to be conducted with ease and without unnecessary financial burden.

Qazi Hafiz Mohammed Arshad observed that even a small reduction in the expenses of lavish weddings could enable the marriage of several underprivileged girls, and appealed for greater social responsibility.

Organisers said the significance of the event was evident from the participation of families who had travelled more than 500 km to attend the ceremony.

Among those present were MLA Jaffer Hussain Meraj, Online Editor Gawah Syed Khaled Shahbaaz, Kurmaguda Corporator Shafaat Ali, Rein Bazaar Corporator Abdul Wasay, Director MS Education Academy Dr Moazzam Hussain, General Secretary of the Anjuman Mohammed bin Sayeed, vice-presidents Faheemuddin and Shameem Mohiuddin, and treasurer Mirza Asadulla Baig.

Several community elders, representatives of social organisations and well-wishers attended the programme, which concluded with a dua offered by Maulana Nizami.