It rivalled the best of marriages. The print and electronic media was there in full force. Local political functionaries turned up in good number. For TV channels, it was the story of the day. The crew fell over one another to capture the event.
No, it was no VIP marriage which aroused such attention on Sunday. It was a simple wedding in a godforsaken place called Gourapally in Bhongir Mandal. More than the couple tying the knot, it was the bride’s parents who were the cynosure of all eyes.
Madhava Reddy and his wife Lakshmi Reddy never thought the whole village and the media would turn up. As people got wind of the marriage of their adopted daughter, Farzana, everyone wanted to be there to witness the ‘nikah’ of the Muslim daughter of Hindu parents. Madhava Reddy’s house was all decked up for the event. His relatives from Hyderabad also dropped in to join the festivities. Right from morning his phone never stopped ringing as people called up to congratulate him.
The Reddy couple could barely hold back their tears as they headed to the Z.P. High School for the ‘nikah’ ceremony. Farzana was also seen shedding silent tears as she hugged the duo whom she loved more than her biological parents.
Dressed in red bridal attire, she offered ‘namaz’ just before she went through the marriage paces. Shujat Babukhan, wife of Ghiasuddin Babukhan, chairman, Hyderabad Zakat and Charitable Trust, helped the bride.
Being her guardian, Madhava Reddy, signed before the Qazi, Mohd Taher Ali Akhtar, while giving away his daughter in marriage.
The Reddy couple presented a modest trousseau, which included a burqa and a Quran with Telugu commentary. The nikah over, it was time for a sumptuous lunch. It was a touching scene as Farzana left with her husband, Abdul Rashid. With a heavy heart the Reddy couple bade her adieu. Could anybody love an adopted daughter so much was the question on everybody’s lips. “They have set a hard to emulate example. They have proved that majority of Hindus are secular,” said Mr. Babukhan.
