Qadian, December 6
The first cross-border marriage after attack on the Indian Parliament would be solemnised at Qadian, the international headquarters of Ahmadiya Muslims, here tomorrow even as the Government of Pakistan has refused to give visas to any of the relatives of Maqbool Ahmed, a Qadian-based journalist and his fiance, Tahira Hazur.
It is just a coincidence that like Tahira, all relatives of Maqbool Ahmed live in Pakistan where Ahmadiyas are persecuted. However, the Sikhs and Hindus would attend this mega event in a big way when Moulvi would pronounce ‘niqah’ in a mosque in the afternoon tomorrow.
Maqbool said he did not have any relative in India as his late father Manzoor Ahmad had come here, along with 312 other ‘darveshes’, leaving his entire family in Pakistan after the Partition for preserving the great heritage of Ahmadiyas. He said at least 95 per cent ‘baratis’ (guest from bridegroom side) and ‘melis’ (the host) would be either Hindus or Sikhs.
It was fascinating scene at the house of Maqbool Ahmad as Dr Baljit Kaur, in charge, Urban Family Welfare unit, and her daughter, Harsuchetan, had specially came to Qadian to apply ‘mehndi’ on the hands of Tahira. Dr Baljit Kaur said she was thrilled to attend the marriage of Tahira who was like a sister to her. A large number of Sikh, Hindu and Muslim women thronged the house of Maqbool for the ‘ladies’ sangeet’.
Tahira who got engaged with Maqbool in March, 2001 said it was with the grace of ‘Allah’ that she would marry Maqbool tomorrow. “It was a love at first sight and I had decided to marry Maqbool when he visited Pakistan in 2001.
Since no relative of Tahira Hazur could attend the marriage, the ‘rukhsat’ ceremony would be performed by Mirza Bashir Ahmad, chief secretary of Jamait Ahmadiyas.
Interestingly, the proposed marriage has found mention in a poetry book, authored by Ch Mehmood Ahmad Mubashar, a local poet, which would be released to mark the marriage tomorrow.
