It represented all the perfect mix of a village festival. Children, woman and the aged came together inside the simple pandal that has been erected. The signs of joy were represented in the eyes of each and everyone gathered there. It seemed they have regained some thing which has been lost from them. The festive mood was reflected in each and every pious mind there.
The above incident is from babuwan, patteruva villages in supol and areria district of Bihar. It was the village which has been washed away in the terrific flood of August, 2008 due to collapse of Kosi dam in Nepal.
They were striving to establish the chains of life that has been lost in the midnight flood that devastated their life. Many lost their lives, houses were razed down to earth, cattle population and agricultural fields were totally devastated, Whole set of families were in refugee camps….After long eight months of refugee life, they returned back to their village. Erstwhile agricultural fields were now rivers, houses as shallow pits; the atmosphere is charged with memories of kith and kins, relatives, cattle which was once their livelihood….. Yes, the festive like mood which now arise was due to the community marriage that was being arranged there. They found it as an opportunity to forget the past memories.
The happiness reflected in the eyes of Nayyirussaman sahib. He was leading the flood relief activities in the state. His face reflected the satisfaction he has gained by working for reconstruction of the villages. He lead the activities involving maintenance of over five hundred houses, digging of three hundred tube wells, providing employment assistance to three hundred people, reconstruction of schools and mosques. His team also distributed clothes to during Ramadan, Eid and Dussehra. They distributed blankets to five thousand persons. They are still continuing their activities by providing assistance to marriages and treatments. Construction of thousand houses will begin soon.
The incident was so co-incidental. Ashraf sahib, owner of A.R.H in Ernakulam, kerala says “daughter’s marriage has been fixed. Wish to assist one or two poor girls also to get married on that occasion.” I said “there many people working to help girls from poor families to get married. If you wish to do anything in this regard, it should be in the flood devastated regions of Bihar”. He accepted the suggestion with happiness. The reply from Nayyirussaman sahib on this regard was a surprise, “after the calamity, hundreds of marriages have been cancelled here. Even the pre scheduled ones are difficult to conduct.” Here on, things moved in no time. Arrangement was made for the marriage of 65 couples from villages of supol and areria. Arrangements were done in two locations.
While we reached these villages on February 12th, the scenes were surprising. The land which was transformed in to a river by the flood reflected a perfect village festival. Two locations had one pandal each, a marriage kuthuba, one marriage for each of the selected village. Respective Imam of every village led the procedures. Food was also arranged for those invitees of bride and groom. Elderly people of the respective villages, B.D.O and police inspector were special guests, Ashraf sahib and his wife, his brother in law Musthafa and wife, me and wife were as external guests. Towards meeting expenses of dress and mehar, the organizers gave five thousand rupees each.
Nayyirussaman sahib conveyed an interesting fact. Out of the five thousand rupees granted to each, most of them bought cattle by spending around Rs 2500- 3000 !. Some of the grooms were wearing already used and old clothes. To represent their marriage costume, they wore skull cap and shawl only. From each family we allowed 10 guests.
The simplicity and village life dignity were clearly illustrated here. Moreover, the complete absence of any extravaganza and simplicity shown are beyond our imagination. Ashraf sahib, whose wish was to sponsor two marriages, is happy for sponsoring sixty five marriages.
Mufti Hazrath Imam Salafi of Nepal addressed the marriage kutuba. He reminded of duties of a husband and wife and glory of family relationship.
There were many enquiries to Nayyirussaman sahib on when would the next be held. He turned on to the audience and addressed: “shortly we will arrange a community marriage for hundred pairs”. Many interested parties have approached him to join in that. “When we conduct marriages for two pairs with ten thousand rupee, as a source of livelihood, a goat or cow also reaches that family.” Mr. Musthafa exclaimed.
The experience in Kosi was big enough to open the eyes of Muslim youth who spent millions on marriages alone.
(The above experience is during the visit conducted by Prof. Siddique Hassan, Vice-President, Jamat-e- Islami Hind and others)
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