Umar Khan Alisherzai, Ambassador of Pakistan to the Kingdom, has recently set a precedent by solemnizing Nikah (the wedding) of his eldest daughter at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. “The Pakistani envoy has set a precedent that every member of the Pakistani community should follow. Solemnizing Nikah in a mosque was a tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him),” said Dr. Mansour Memon, a prominent member of the Pakistani community here. He said it was sad to note that as Muslim society is becoming exposed to the so-called modern world, the noble traditions of the Prophet (pbuh) are being forgotten. People in Pakistan have started spending lavishly on wedding parties, a trend not customary in Islam, he said. Dr. Memon hosted a reception party in honor of Alisherzai and his family at an istiraha (rest house) here. Dr. Memon said the reception was organized to honor Alisherzai and his family for setting a precedent by solemnizing the marriage in a simple way, the reflection of Islamic teachings. He said that the envoy received prior permission from the Saudi authorities for solemnizing the Nikah at the Grand Mosque. “It was a rare gesture offered to the Pakistani envoy,” he said. Dr. Memon and his wife Dr. Erum Memon organized the reception party aimed at creating awareness of the noble act among members of the Pakistani community. Over 100 guests from all walks of life including diplomats, Pakistanis working in the Ministry of Defense and Aviation, Pakistani businessmen, renowned physicians, engineers, heads of Pakistan international schools and officials from Pakistan International Airlines, and family and friends attended the reception. Professor Arjumand Warsy, a senior faculty member at King Saud University and a leading scholar, spoke about the rights and duties of husband and wife to each other in light of the Holy Qur'an and Hadith. Professor Maimoona Ahmed, a renowned TV host, offered Dua'a (supplication) at the end of the reception for all Pakistanis and sought the blessings of Allah for the newly married couple.
