AnNikah Min Sunnati - Simplicity in Weddings is the need of the hour – Kudos to Mass Wedding Program held in Gujarath on 20 Nov 2022 - a report by Inayath Ulla Khan

Gujarat - 21 Nov 2022: Alhamdulillah, the recent event of mass marriages held in Gujarat under the leadership of Hz. Peer-o-Murshid Hazrat Syed Meeranji Abid Khundmiri Sahab, has been conducted for years in the simplest possible way. Alhamdulillah, it is reported that 43 young couples belonging to our mehdavia community got solemnized their Nikah (Ijtemai Nikah) on 19th and 20th November 2022 with over 9000 guests. The program was streamed live and was witnessed by thousands of Mehdavis from across the world.  The Ijtemai Nikah's objective is not only to make weddings simple but also to cut down unnecessary Rasams which made their way into our community by seeing others and adhering to strict religious guidelines. This is also helpful in saving the high costs of unnecessary expenses on lavish practices such as elaborate dinners, function hall rentals, etc. 

It is informed that each groom registers his participation by paying a nominal fee of ₹.11000/- as a token of contribution to meet the Expenses. Each pair is allowed to invite 25 guests from both sides. The entire neighborhood turned into a festive mode with guests from 86 families coming together to celebrate the Mass Weddings. Being the fact that the residents of the entire area are mehdavis, each family in the neighborhood was part of the two days program.

Nikah Process: Hz. Syed Mehmood Talib Khundmiri Sahab recited Quran-e-Pak (Tilawat) while Hz. Syed Meeranji Abid Khundmiri Sahab explained about the recited verses. Five Murshideen-e-Ikram namely Hz. Syed ZainulAbideen urf Zahed Miyan Saheb Khundmiri, Hz. Syed Taher Najmi Saheb Qibla, Hz. Sayed Tahseen Agha Khundmiri Saheb, Hz. Syed Mehmood Talib Khundmiri Sahab, Hz. Syed Noor Mohammed Saheb Ishaqui conducted the Ijab-o-Qubool of the Nikahs and One Qutba-e-Nikah and Dua was recited by Hz. Syed ZainulAbideen urf Zahed Miyan Saheb Khundmiri, Maulvi Kaamil.

Mahar: The grooms paid the mahr-e-muajjal (on the spot) of 5 grams of gold as per the conditions of the Nikah on the spot, and it was uniform for all the grooms. It is reported that there was no concept of Jahez nor any kind of demands from the groom’s side, which made the Nikah simpler and reduced the burden on the bride’s parents.  

Menu: The participants served simple Kadi-Khichdi on the first day, and on the second day they had rice and Dalcha, a staple dish of cooked meat, along with sweets.

Organisers: The Mahedaviya Ijtemai Nikah Committee under the aegis of Mehdavia Jamath Bharuch has been shouldering the responsibility of all the arrangements for the last 22 years once every two to three years and this is the 11th such program. Alhamdulillah the members of the committee contributed generously towards most of the expenses of this august program and the committee blessed the new couples with wedding gifts worth about ₹.8000 to each couple. Speaking on the phone Janab Mohammed Ilyas ibn Ibrahim Bhy Fruitwale an active member of the Mahedaviya Ijtemai Nikah Committee said, 'the community waits for the announcements by the committee and the arrival of Murshid to solemnize the Nikahs, and Alhamdulillah I am one of the beneficiaries, who got married in the first Ijtemai Nikah -in 2020'. 'The whole locality turns out to be a festival destination with all families celebrating together he added.

Mehdavia Times takes this opportunity to congratulate all the brides and grooms, and the organisers. We pray to the Almighty to bless the newly wedded couples with a long and happy married life. We look forward to many more such happy and memorable mass wedding programs occurring in our community. May Allah give more strength to the members of Mahedaviya Ijtemai Nikah Committee and Mehdavia Jamath Bharuch Gujarat to continue the good work and give them success in both worlds. Aameen.

Video grabs from News Reports: Salam Gujarat & Voice of Vadodara