SOCIETY

Muslim girl brought up the Hindu way, marries
as per Muslim custom

     Ujjain: An unusual marriage took place in Ujjain , Madhya Pradesh recently. A Muslim girl, who was brought up as a Hindu, was married as per Muslim customs. Rani Khanam, the bride, married Sharafat Khan, the groom, in a ceremony that once again brought out the spirit of communal harmony that prevails in India . The marriage took place in the house of Fazalpur. Verses from the holy Quran and the mythological epic Ramayana were read out on the occasion. Rani Khanam, born in a Muslim house, was brought up in a Hindu family. Rani was a frequent visitor to her neighbour Babulal Malviya, and has no idea when she became a part of that family. When Rani refused to accompany her family to Indore , her father Chhotu Khan handed over her to Babulal, saying henceforth he should treat Rani as his daughter. Rani married Shrafat Khan on April 28 as per Muslim traditions, and she says that she never felt that Babulal and Lila Bai Malviya were not her parents. They gave her love and met her demands, and she believes their care more than compensated for the absence of her biological parents. "I have stayed here since my childhood and I was showered with so much love and affection, that never it came to mind that this was not my home. They educated me and all of my requirements and demands were always met," said Rani Khanam. Babulal, a security guard in the municipal corporation has brought up Rani like his own daughter and has spent his entire savings of one hand a half lakhs rupees on the marriage. The family was a happy practice of rituals of both communities. "We have brought up Rani with all love and care and always planned of marrying her when she grows up. I have kept her away from pains and had taken proper care of her education. Today, she is married," said Babulal. "I am both happy and sad. She has lived with us since her childhood.She was everything to us," said Lila Bai, Babulal's wife. According to Husaina Bi, Rani's biological mother, "We have good relations with Babulal's family since long. She (Rani) visited us very rarely, and after staying a day or two with us, she used to insist on us aking her back to her home." Chhotu Khan, Rani's father, said Rani had been given an Islamic education also and was allowed to offer namaz too. "They (Babulal and Lila Bai) have taken care of arranging an Islamic education for her, and she was allowed to offer namaz. She had no restrictions in following her religion and had a separate room. And, they have married my daughter following all Muslim traditions," said Chhotu. There is no dearth of such communal affection in Indian society.
-May 10, 2007    

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