Islahe Maashra Campaign Proves Effective Dowry Practice Ends in the Qureshi Community.

Waseem Akram Quraishi

Jaipur Rajasthan.

In Rajasthan’s Qureshi community, a strong movement against the practice of dowry is gaining momentum. Senior members and respected personalities of the community are setting an example by completely eliminating dowry in the marriages of their sons and daughters. As part of this campaign, last year senior social worker and businessman Chuttan Qureshi, a resident of Jhotwara, set a remarkable example by conducting his daughter Alima’s marriage on a No Garden, No Dinner, No Dowry pattern. Taking this initiative forward, the Islahe Maashra Committee of MD Road has played an active role by organizing several Nikah ceremonies with simplicity inside mosques. Continuing this series of dowry-free marriages, on Thursday, 8 January, at Noorani Masjid in Jhotwara, Meraj Qureshi solemnized the Nikah of his daughter Shehnaz with Junaid, son of Zaheeruddin from Ramnagar, Shastri Nagar, in a simple and dignified manner. After the Nikah was performed according to Shariah, guests were welcomed by serving dates (khajoor). On this occasion, senior members of the community and a large number of social workers were present. It is noteworthy that two days earlier, businessman Chuttan Qureshi had also arranged the Nikah of his nephew Sohail with Anjum, daughter of Nasir Qureshi of MD Road, at Masjid Qureshiyan, following Islamic traditions and simplicity. On that occasion as well, he publicly announced that no dowry was taken, an act that was widely appreciated by all those present.