We were in Mauritius for a wedding and this is a post on the actual religious wedding ceremony that took place on Saturday. The name for a Muslim wedding is 'Nikah'.
The Nikah was held at the Masjid La Rue Vellore aka Noor-E-Islam Masjid, and it was to take place just after the 'Asr prayers (mid-afternoon). As usual, it was hot. Thankfully, I was wearing some light Indian clothes, and so was Adam, our 6 year old. Rehana and Iman went to the back of the Masjid to the ladies side, and I loitered outside the Masjid with Adam, since he was not too keen on going it yet (or was it me who wanted to stay on the streets ? ... can't remember). Once the 'Asr prayers were over, we started to make our way inside the Masjid.
As the groom came to the Masjid, there were a few girls blocking the door. Part of Mauritian Muslim tradition (I believe) - Groom had to pay them off to let him out. He came prepared and had a bunch of envelopes with money.
The standard formula for the Muslim wedding is the groom and 2 'witnesses' from the bride's side have to be there, as well as the Imam (who conducts the proceedings - although it does not have to be an Imam). Everyone sits down on the carpet, and the Iman starts by saying some stuff (generally about how marriage is a good thing), and then piles into it. He announces to the gathering at large that we are here for the wedding of (bride's name) to (groom's name), then he talks to the bride's witnesses and asks them if the bride agrees to this union. If he hears a yes, he then asks the same question of the groom. Once he hears the 'yes', the marriage is done and he then asks for blessings for the happy couple. Everyone stands up and a line forms to hug the groom. That's usually my cue to go look for our shoes. We then loitered around inside the Masjid until most people have left, and when we leave, we each get a 'cake'. I think it is part of the Muslim tradition to have something sweet at the end of the wedding.
This is what happened at the guys' side. What happens at the girl's side ? I have no clue since I was not there. Adam and I walked to the back of the Masjid and waited, and waited, and waited. Fortunately there were a bunch of other husbands out there waiting for their other halves. I heard the delay was due to the groom could not put her shoes back on, since she was wearing the full western wedding dress. Two other ladies had to dive in there and find her feet. Hehehe - someone should have recorded that.
Once the bride came out, the 'wedding car' whisked her away with her new husband sitting in the back of the car.
Next event was the Dinner - boys side....
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