Muslims pool money for Hindu woman’s wedding
MALDA:A group of Muslims came together to fund the marriage of a Hindu woman in a West Bengal village, which has only eight Hindu families and around 600 Muslim households.
Led by Motiur Rahaman, a local madrassa headmaster, the Muslims helped Saraswati, daughter of late daily-wager, marry Tapan Chowdhury in their Khanpur village of Malda district on Thursday.
Saraswati’s father, Trjilal Chowdhury had died three years ago leaving his wife Sovarani in financial crisis with her five daughters and a son.
Sovarani had managed to arrange ~2,000 for the dowry, which was demanded by the groom’s family, but was left penniless after that to make arrangements for the wedding.
“Upon learning about Sovarani’s problem, I held discussions with my neighbours Abdul Bari, Imadul Rahaman, Jalaluddin, and Sahidul Islam, among others. We all agreed that since Saraswati is like our daughter, it is our duty to arrange for a proper wedding,” he told HT.
He and his group then approached Sovarani and assured her that the amount will be made available. Before long, the community members collected the amount and helped the family conduct the marriage.
A reception ceremony was also held on November 25 where Rahaman stood at the main entrance of Sovarani’s house, greeting the groom and his family members. “Had Trjilal (Saraswati’s father) been alive, he would have done that. In his absence, I did it since Saraswati is nothing less than my daughter,” Rahaman said.
LED BY A MADRASSA HEADMASTER, THE MUSLIMS HELPED PAY FOR THE MARRIAGE OF SARASWATI, DAUGHTER OF A LATE DAILYWAGER