All marriages should be solemnized in local mosques, says Shia clerics

Lucknow, Oct 19 (ANI): The Shia Muslim Personal Law Board in Lucknow has made it mandatory for all Muslim marriages to be solemnized in local mosques irrespective of their financial status.

The decision was taken at the meeting of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, which is preparing to announce its national policy on October 25 in national capital.

Maulana Mirz Mohaommad Athar, a Muslim cleric and Shia scholar, welcomed this move, and said: "The marriages or the Nikkah (the contract between a bride and bridegroom) should be solemnised in the big mosques which is owned by the Muslim community. Not in the marriage halls or the banquets as neither the family of the girl or the boy gains out of it,"

Echoing similar sentiments was Maulana Khalid Rasheed, Principal of Darul-Quaza-Wal-Ifta, who said that this tradition has been continuing from the time of Hazrat Muhammad.

"As per the Islamic Shariat (Islamic law) performing of nikkah is auspicious if performed in a Masjid and this tradition has been continuing from the time of Hazrat Muhammad," Rasheed said.

The move also aims to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. (ANI)