Date:22/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/22/stories/2006052202450300.htm

Karnataka - Bijapur

200 couples tie the knot

Staff Correspondent

A Hindu philanthropist organises mass marriage for Muslims

SETTING AN EXAMPLE: Muslim bridegrooms (in garlands) along with their fathers-in-law at the mass marriage held in Bijapur on Sunday.

BIJAPUR: Organising a mass marriage function at the fort city of Bijapur on Sunday set an example in strengthening communal harmony.

Nearly 200 Muslim couples entered into wedlock at a traditional ceremony that was sponsored by A.S. Patil Nadahalli, a Hindu philanthropist.

While most of the couples were local people, there were some from Maharashtra. For Mahaboobi from Sangli town in Maharashtra, the

event came as a godsend. She could not have performed her daughter Arifa's wedding but for the free marriage event. Bridegroom was from Bijapur and the alliance was fixed informally a year ago but the family kept on postponing the marriage for want of funds. Even a simple marriage requires Rs. 40,000.

All expenses, including transport, were met by the organisers. Apart from "mangalasutra" and marriage dress, beds and utensils were provided free of cost to the couple.

Barring minor incidental expenditure Mehaboobi did not spend anything. She worked as a domestic help after the death of her husband five years ago. Quite a few among the newly-weds were physically challenged.

The Muslim Muttahida Council (MMC) of Bijapur, which

helped organise the event, honoured Mr. Nadahalli by conferring "Souharda Ratna" award on him. Mr. Nadahalli said the honour had only enhanced his social responsibility, and asserted that he would continue such social work.

Moulana SageerAhmad Ashraf, a cleric from Lucknow, said the event was a step towards achieving communal harmony.

Blessing the new couples Gadag Tontadarya Siddalinga Swamiji said Bijapur had a long history of communal harmony.

The head of Hashim Peer Dargah and MMC president, Sajjad Syed Mohammd Tanveer Hashmi, administered the oath of marriage. MMC secretary M.J. Inamdar spoke.