Schedule
Friday, May 5, 2023
Nikah
1:00 pm
4 Nasir Ahmad Road, Sharon, MA 02067
Men and women may cover their arms and legs out of respect of the mosque. Women may cover their heads with a scarf or similar garment if they wish.
The nikah is the Islamic wedding ceremony, and it is relatively short and simple. The nikah usually takes place in a mosque, as ours is, but can happen anywhere like at a hotel ballroom or in a home. At a mosque, guests will be asked to remove their shoes out of respect for the holy space. You may dress how you wish though modest clothing (covering arms and legs) is considered respectful. Women may cover their heads with a scarf if they would like to maintain Islamic tradition. In addition to the bride and groom, the key people in the nikah are the parents of the couple, two witnesses from both sides, and the Imam, or a spiritual leader who officiates the wedding.
Family Mehndi
5:00 pm
9 Miscoe Hill Road, Upton, MA 01568
Colorful!!! Usually yellow, green, orange, pink, etc. are worn at Mehndi ceremonies.
The day before a Pakistani Islamic Shaadi is typically the day of the Mehndi (Henna Party). At this event women will do mehndi on their hands and sing cultural/folk songs using a dholak, or Pakistani drum. Traditionally, the bride hides her groom’s initials somewhere in her henna for him to find later. Culturally, men do not wear mehndi. Our mehndi invitations are only extended to women, though the groom (Ish) will be joining us at some point in the evening.
Saturday, May 6, 2023
Shaadi
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
5400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA 01581
This event is thrown by the bride's family and they invite all their family and friends, as well as the groom's family and friends. The men and women will be seated in separate rooms. The bride will enter and sit on the stage, which is located on the women's side. There will be a Qur'an recitation, a poem recitation, and a brief description of both families at the start of the event. Afterwards, dinner will be served. Once dinner is complete, non-family members will leave the venue and the groom and close family from the men's side will come over to the women's side. The groom will join the bride on the stage and family photos will start! Once all the family photos are done, the bride will be walked out by her family and given to the groom (this is called the Rukhsati). The evening ends when the bride and groom drive off together to begin their life as a married couple!
Sunday, May 14, 2023
Walima
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
1000 Southcreek Drive, Round Rock, TX 78664
The Walima is the final reception and final event of the days-long wedding celebration. It is similar to the Shaadi but this time, the groom’s family hosts the wedding guests. There is no Rukhsati, just a celebration dinner and family photos. This event is being held in Texas.