Lockdown: Hyderabad’s Old city sees morning ‘nikahs’

In the last few days, several marriages fixed months ago are taking place during the morning hours, which is an unusual scene in old City

Hyderabad: Marriages in the morning are the trend in the old city now. After the lockdown that began last month, function halls are witnessing early morning marriages, an unusual scene for most here.

The sight of a decorated car with a bridegroom seated in the front and people gathering at any function hall at 8 am is a different experience for the public. After the State government initially gave a relaxation window from 6 am to 10 am, families fixed the time after the ‘Fajr’ (predawn prayers) for solemnizing the ‘nikah’ in mosques. In the last few days, several marriages fixed months ago are taking place during the morning hours.

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Syed Rehan of Talabkatta whose sister’s marriage was performed last week, says: “We did not want to trouble people by calling them after 10 am, so we chose the morning time. Everything went off as planned, it was altogether a different experience as we are used to evening or late night marriages.”

A few families are organising the ‘nikah’ ceremony at their houses in the morning and later heading to function halls where a simple breakfast is served to the guests. “By 9 am, the function is completed and the newlyweds head home. Moreover, the number of guests is very less,” said Qazi Habeeb Ahmed Bin Salam Al Attas from Barkas.

Religious scholars and community elders for long campaigned for simple marriages considering the burden it brings on the family of the girl. “What religious scholars and community elders failed to do in the past is happening now due to the lockdown,” said Ilyas Shamshi, a social activist from Tolichowki.

“I think the simplicity should continue if not the daytime wedding, otherwise the huge expenditure is pushing several families into distress. Islam preaches simple marriages but marriages are becoming the most expensive affair for the family of a girl, who are forced to borrow money to hold lavish weddings,” said Aleem Khan Falki, of Socio Reforms Society.

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