Muslim Wedding Ceremony
The type of wedding ceremony that a Muslim couple has depends on their cultural background. In Indonesia, for example, a crucial part of the ritual is the couple's declaration of their religion since the country's government won't recognize unions that aren't made under a declared religion. In Iran, herbs and spices are set out during the marriage rites to ward off evil spirits, and shelled nuts and eggs are set out to attract fertility.
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Lengthy Celebration
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One to two weeks before the wedding, a series of parties called "dholkis" are held to celebrate the nuptials, which last three days. At the dholkis, friends and family usually practice songs and dances they will perform at the marriage ceremony. A mehendi ceremony is held on the first night of the wedding. It is essentially a shower for both the bride and groom, but one that's very festive and includes dancing. The actual wedding day when the ceremony is performed is called the "nikah." The night after the wedding is when the valima, which is essentially the wedding reception, is held.
Henna
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At a mehendi, brownish-red henna decorations are applied to the bride's hands, arms, legs and feet. The designs symbolize that the bride is changing from a virgin to a seductive woman for her husband. The future mother-in-law is expected to apply the first dot in the center of the bride's hand. Henna is also playfully looked upon as a way to enhance the couple's wedding night: When a bride wears these intricate designs, her husband may be told to "examine" her to see if he can find where his own initials have been painted into the designs.
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Separation of Genders
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During an orthodox wedding, men and women do not mingle. They are separated by gender on either side of the room during the marriage ceremony and may even have a curtain hanging between them. The same holds true during the reception and any pre- or post-nuptial gatherings.
Ceremony
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Because the Muslim religion doesn't sanction any official clergymen, any Muslim who is familiar with Islamic traditions can preside over a wedding. A couple signs their marriage contract during the ceremony, or nikah. The officiant can add a religious element to the proceedings, such as reciting the first chapter of the Quran. Muslim couples usually don't exchange vows at their weddings. Instead they heed the words the officiant speaks about marriage and its responsibilities.
Witnesses
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For a Muslim marriage to be valid, two male witnesses have to sign the couple's marriage contract. Also, the wedding must be witnessed by at least two males, or a male and two women, to be recognized.
Conversion
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The Islamic faith is said to be passed down through the father. Because of this tradition, Muslim men are permitted to marry women outside of their religion without her converting to Islam. However, a Muslim woman can't marry a non-Muslim unless he converts to her religion.
Timing
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Muslims tend to avoid planning ceremonies during Muharram and Ramadan since they are sacred months in the Islamic calendar, which follows a lunar calendar. Shawwal, the 10th month in the Islamic calendar, is a favorite time of year for marriages. A popular day for weddings is Sunday since it's the beginning of the week.
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