Ghaziabad: In a landmark move towards social reform, the All India Quraish Biradri has pledged to eliminate lavish spending on weddings and redirect those funds towards education. This resolution was taken at a national-level conference held in Ghaziabad, where community leaders unanimously agreed that the culture of extravagance in marriages burdens economically weaker families and contradicts Islamic teachings.
The initiative aims to establish educational institutions ranging from primary schools to professional colleges, including engineering and medical courses, to uplift the community through knowledge and skill development.
The conference followed a prior meeting held on February 16, 2025, in Sikandrabad, presided over by Mr. Sirajuddin Quraishi, President of the All India Jamiatul Quraish. Shahid Quraishi, President of the Noida district unit, announced that henceforth only limited dishes would be served at weddings. He emphasized that ostentatious weddings deepen financial inequalities and place undue pressure on less affluent families.
In a strong message to the community, Shahid Quraishi urged members to avoid attending weddings that defy this guidance. If they accidentally do so, he advised them to leave immediately with like-minded individuals as a form of protest.
The conference also echoed the teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who advocated for simplicity in Nikah (marriage) ceremonies. The Prophet’s ﷺ practice encouraged minimal expenditure and discouraged dowry and pomp, yet many Muslims have deviated from this path, incorporating customs like “Mehndi” and “Ubtan” inspired by other cultures. A recent example in Uttar Pradesh, where a father gave away two Fortuner cars to his daughters and flaunted the act online, was cited as an example of this growing social disease.
A Hindu friend of one of the speakers reportedly lamented how Muslims, instead of being examples of simplicity, have mirrored society’s obsession with wealth display, further normalizing extravagant weddings.
To curb such harmful practices, scholars (Ulama) and Qazis were urged to actively resist un-Islamic weddings. They were encouraged to decline officiating or attending any marriage ceremony that does not conform to Islamic values. It was strongly recommended that religious leaders, who play a crucial role in society, lead by example.
The resolution passed by the Jamiatul Quraish could potentially spark a significant shift in the socio-cultural landscape of Indian Muslims. Redirecting wedding expenses to education will not only ease financial burdens but also empower the younger generation with better opportunities and a more dignified future.
