October 20, 2024: A unique cross-border wedding took place in Jaunpur district when Mohammad Abbas Haider, the son of BJP corporator Tahseen Shahid, married Andleep Zahra, a resident of Lahore, through an online ‘nikah’ ceremony.
Visa Issues and Online Ceremony
Due to ongoing political tensions, Haider was unable to secure a visa to travel to Pakistan for the wedding. The situation was further complicated when the bride’s mother, Rana Yasmin Zaidi, fell ill and required hospitalization in the ICU. As a result, Shahid opted for an online wedding to facilitate the ceremony.
On Friday night, the groom and his family gathered at an imambara in Jaunpur to participate in the virtual ‘nikah.’ The bride’s family joined the ceremony from Lahore, making it a truly international event.
Validity of Online ‘Nikah’
Shia religious leader Maulana Mahfoozul Hasan Khan confirmed the legitimacy of the online ‘nikah.’ He explained that, in Islam, the woman’s consent is crucial for the marriage, and this consent can be communicated to the cleric involved in the ceremony. He stated that an online ‘nikah’ is permissible when clerics from both sides can collaborate to conduct the ceremony.
Haider expressed optimism that his new wife would soon receive her Indian visa, allowing them to start their life together. The wedding was attended by BJP MLC Brijesh Singh Prishu and other guests who congratulated the couple and their families.
