Muslim clerics to boycott marriage of drunkards, dowry seekers

Drunkards and dowry seekers in eastern states will find it difficult to get their marriage solemnised with a group of Muslim clerics deciding to boycott such people.
The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of clerics called here by Kazi Maulana Mansoor Alam, chief of "Darul-Qaza", a district unit of Imarat-e-Shariah, which regulates religious activities of Muslims in Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha.
Giving details of the deliberations held last week, Alam told PTI that the decision was an attempt to fight social evils like dowry and liquor which are prohibited in Islam.
The clerics have decided to launch a campaign in Nalanda district to appeal to Imams of local mosques to join them and keep away from performing marriage ceremony of individuals in the habit of drinking liquor and seeking dowry, he said.

Nalanda, home district of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has a sizable population of Muslims.
He said the decision was in tune with tenets of the holy Quran which prohibits consumption of liquor and terms taking or giving dowry as "haram" (unlawful).
Alam lamented that there was an increase in dowry-related cases and alcohol consumption particularly among youths of the community and said the clerics felt there was an urgent need to prevent such vices.
They emphasised that Muslim marriage should be performed in accordance with "Shariyat".