Karnataka: Muslim family sponsors Hindu girl’s marriage

MANGALURU: Hit hard by pandemic-induced financial crisis, the family of a 20-year-old bride was about to call off the wedding slated for July 11. Just then, a Muslim business house in Ullal known to the bride’s family stepped forward and offered them financial and logistical support to conduct the wedding.
The MK family, headed by MK Razak, made all the arrangements — from buying bridal jewellery to hosting mehndi event — to ensure smooth conduct of the wedding of Kavana with Ranjith at Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple in Talapady as per Hindu customs.
Kavana’s mother Geetha, whose husband died due to chickenpox five years ago, sold her small house and property in Shaktinagar four months ago due to the financial crisis. Later, Geetha, who does domestic work for a living, and her daughter shifted to a rented house in Manchila, near Ullal. Ranjith, 25, from Kanhangad in Kasargod district of Kerala, is a civil contractor.
Muslim family helped them financially
Kavana studied up to SSLC and couldn’t pursue higher studies due to financial crisis. Kavana’s elder sister Kavya was married two years ago.
MK Almaz, a member of the MK family, told TOI Kavana’s uncle Suresh narrated the plight of Geetha’s family a couple of weeks before the wedding. “Immediately, Razak visited Geetha’s house and provided groceries, an LPG stove with cylinder and other necessary items. Later, Razak held discussions with all MK family members, including MK Group’s UH Abdul Rehman and MK Hamza. Following this, arrangements were made through MK Group Marriage Fund to buy gold ornaments, including anklets, ring and earrings, and silver articles,” Almaz said.
Geetha thanked the MK family and said she would “pray for their welfare for all times to come.”
It is for the first time that the MK Group Marriage Fund – set up exclusively for the benefit of extended family members in distress – was extended for a marriage outside the family.
“My father MK Hamza organised a mehndi ceremony on the eve of Kavana’s wedding. The marriage was held as per Hindu rituals at the temple in the presence of MK family members Riyaz, Mubarish, Razak, Haneef and Abdul Rehman,” he added.