– Raheem Khan
Jaipur: In a heart-warming community gathering, 25 couples from the Muslim Banjara community were united in a joint nikah ceremony organised by Jaipur Banjara Vikas Samiti in Hasanpura Banjaras’ Mohalla. The simple ceremony began at 2:30 PM, with the grooms arriving at the mosque for the solemnisation of their vows. The event spans two days, with marriages conducted on the first day and a community feast planned for the second day to celebrate with the entire community.
Committee President Rafiq Mundori explained that collective nikahs help families save money and avoid unnecessary expenses, an effort achieved through months of dedicated planning. He expressed hope that future events would facilitate even more marriages within the community.
Nadim Ahmed, the committee’s secretary, noted that the aim of the collective nikah is to unite people from all economic backgrounds and conduct marriages according to Islamic principles. He emphasised the importance of redirecting wedding expenses toward education, to raise community awareness and discourage negative practices.
This year’s ceremony also highlighted environmental conservation, a theme introduced by former committee president Hamid Gaud. In response to climate concerns, the community committed to planting a tree for each joyful occasion, including weddings. All grooms pledged to honour this commitment, reflecting a growing awareness of the need for sustainable practices.
