By Abdul Basith MA, TwoCircles.net,
Kalpatta: Some 62 couples including eight Hindu sisters stepped into their marital life in a mass wedding ceremony organised by Wayanad Muslim Orphanage [WMO] here at Muttil. It is the 8th time the orphanage has organised such mass weddings [Samooha Vivaham] here at the orphanage campus. The brides were poor orphaned Muslim girls from Wayanad [the lone MCD in Kerala], Gudallur [Tamil Nadu] and Kudaku [Karnataka]. Some 13 of those brides were brought up and educated under WMO institutions.
Separate ‘Kathir Mandapam’ was arranged with flowers for the Hindu couples, to carry out their own specific marriage rituals near the orphanage’s hostel block at 10:30 am. Rajan Nambuthiri took charge of the rituals where the groom tied a knot around the bride’s neck. Guests were greeted to receptions set separate for ladies and gents. Ashwatikananda Tirunal of Thiruvanathapuram Ekalavya Ashramam and Swamini Prem Vaisali of Kannur Apurvashram were chief guests.
The couples who got married
It was only after this the Nikah of Muslim couples were carried out in the stage set near the courtyard of the orphanage. Panakkad Basheer Ali Shihab Thangal, Vavad Kunji Koya Ustad, KT Hamsa Musalyar and KP Ahmed Kutty Musalyar presided over the Nikah rituals. WMO General Secretary MA Muhammed Jamal delivered the keynote address. Parad Umar Maulavi read the Khutba and WMO Vice president PP Abdul Khader expressed vote of thanks.
All 62 brides were gifted with some gold and the grooms were also given gold as their Mahar to their bride. Besides, the orphanage took care to provide wedding costumes to all these couples.
Several couples had shown interest for getting married in the mass wedding organised by the orphanage and there were hundreds of applications. Prior screening was carried out to ensure that the candidates are willing for a dowry free marriage.
Thousands of guests including relatives, friends and locals attended the function and a feast was arranged for them. There were around 800 volunteers entitled to carry out the functions smoothly. The orphanage alumni students greeted the guests with sweets and soft drinks.
A women’s conference was held after the marriage ceremonies and it was inaugurated by eminent sociologist NP Hafiz Muhammed. The programme was attended by Kerala Women Welfare Corporation Chairperson Kamarunnisa Anwar and General Secretary Nurbina Rasheed. The programme ended with art performance by WMO students.
The mass who attended the marriage and reception
Prior to the marriage ceremony WMO had undertaken widespread anti-dowry campaigns on a Mahal basis with the help of the Masjid Committee of each locality. The effort from the part of the orphanage was financially supported by people across the state.
Until now through these eight mass wedding ceremonies undertaken by the orphanage 574 poor and orphaned girls have entered into the marriage life. Out of these 574 girls were Muslim, 75 Hindu and three Christians. The orphanage has taken initiatives to provide guidelines, awareness campaigns and post marriage counselling sessions to these couples for them to lead a fruitful married life.