Muslim Villagers Say ‘No’ to Dowry

A coalition of Muslim leaders fights to end the social evil

Sixtyyear old Haji Mumtaz Ali relentless campaign againts the unlawful but tradition practice of dowry aong rural Muslim families in northern Jharkhand is an inspiring story. Ali, one a district level politician in Plamu who riuns a small handloom weaving unit there , has cobbled together a coalition of minor Muslim leadersimams, even qazis responsible for solemnizing weddings- to discourages dowry. Working mostly via persuasion and reminders that via persuasion and reminders thar the practice is againts r4eligious tenets the group of elders is having incredible success. Since they launched their crusade in April 2016, over 800 Muslim families in the area have come forward to atone and have even collectively returned nearly Rs 6 crore they had demanded and recieved as dowry. Ali , who runs his business with his two sons sons says it was a trip to Mecca for Haj in 2008 that roused in him the desire to do something about the unacceptable but widespread practise. But it took him eight more years to bring together the anti dowry coalition They follow a simple drill. Local village committties constituted by Ali and his colleagues reach out to families of brides and grooms explaining why it is wrong to ask for or get dowry. Families that admit chance to return it. Local qazls are they wont solemmise nikaals whre dowry had been changed. On the day of the marrieage, Ali says the two families are asked to swear by the Holy Koran that no dowry has been changed. "Many families accepts their folly the moments they reach the steps of the mosque" he says . Details of the dowry returned are duly entered in the village commitiee register. Although Ali coalition is active only among the rural Muslim communities in the Daltonganj, Latehar and Garh distric, others have noticed their success. Palamu deputy commissioner Amit Kumar who attended an anti dowry convention say the social initiative has shown verification and tangible results. " I have asked social leaders in other districks to try and emulate the campaign." Kumar told INDIA TODAY