Rituals in Muslim matrimony vary by country. Muslim matrimony is usually held for several days. However, the traditional marriage rite, called nikah in Arabic, is quite short. The wedding can take place in the house of either party, but people prefer to perform the wedding in a mosque in front of the imam or religious leader, who enacts the laws specified in the Koran, the holy book. The purpose of the ceremony is the official declaration that the couple is married now. A valid marriage requires the consent of both bride and groom, the presence of the bride’s father, two witnesses, the dowry proposed by the husband and the signed contract of the marriage linked to the name of God.
The imam reads the first chapter of the Koran and declares the couple as husband and wife in Muslim Matrimony. Islam allows men to marry Christian or Jewish women because they represent people who have a holy book and their lifestyles go with religious ideology. However, women should not marry someone who is not Muslim, unless he converts to Islam, it is the men who must maintain the traditions. Polygamy is allowed by the Koran, but in some Muslim countries like Tunisia and Turkey, a man cannot marry more than one woman.
Legend: Hours before conducting the wedding, the bride receives a ceremonial bath behind a curtain, which represents the transition between her maiden life and the married life. Depending on the region, Muslim brides wear traditional wedding dresses like the caftan or salwar kameez. The hands and feet of the bride are decorated with henna and they often carry large gold jewelry and beads.
How to Dress? Although not all Muslims are conservative, Islam emphasizes modesty in dress. The women attending Muslim matrimony should avoid showing their arms, shoulders, legs and abdomen. It is not appropriate to go in tight clothing and sometimes even necessary to wear a veil covering the hair and face.
Author: Rashmi Karan
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