9 couples tie knot in mass wedding event

NT Correspondent
 

Bengaluru: One of the prominent mosques in the city, Masjid Al-Noor, which is located in Ulsoor, hosted a mass wedding event on May 5. Mass weddings, a concept that was unheard of in the Muslim community, have emerged as a ray of hope for families that cannot sustain the expense of a typical Indian wedding. The event was organised by a non-government organisation located in Bengaluru—Humane Touch Trust, which has been arranging mass marriages for Muslim couples since 2003.

In a year, the NGO arranges an average of 30 weddings, which are funded by donations and Zakaat.Announcements are made in mosques and on the social media pages of the NGO; people in need can sign up for it and weddings will be arranged accordingly. The NGO provides a package worth Rs 75,000 to the couple, which includes the cost of the wedding, food, and an assortment of home essentials. Kitchen utensils, clothes, a cupboard and an almirah are the main supplies gifted to the newly-wed couple, revealed Tazaiyun Omer, the secretary of the NGO. According to organisers, the average age for the bride and groom is 24.

Most of them are in the unorganised sector of employment, so the NGO counsels them and extends help even after the wedding. The organisation has intervened in cases of family disputes and provided support during pregnancy and childbirth. The concept of mass weddings is slowly gaining popularity in society. Bibi Fathima, the mother of one of the brides, told News Trail that they are from Davangere and got to know about the mass wedding event via YouTube.

“We are optimistic that mass marriages will slowly become mainstream, and It’s the need of the hour that we make this happen in each class,” said Tazaiyun.