Welcome to Ahmadiyyat, The True Islam — Page 458
− WEDDING CEREMONIES A wedding is a very personal, happy, emotional, and memorable experience for families and friend. It consists of mostly family functions, but also some public functions. A typical Ahmadi Muslim wedding should be a reflection of ± − the Ahmadiyya community's sincere adherence to true Islamic ± principles and practices of modesty (moderation, simplicity and purdah). The following guidelines will help in the planning and setup of proper Ahmadiyya Muslim wedding ceremonies: ± 1. There should be a conspicuous separation of men and women. 2. If non-Ahmadi guest's families prefer to stay together ± − during these ceremonies, they may stay in the men's side. 3. There should be no video or photography in the women's side, unless the non-family guests have departed. 4. The bridegroom and his party should not go in the women's side unless the non-family guests have departed. 5. During various wedding ceremonies kike , men Mehndi − should not go in the women's side. The women, however, may entertain themselves through dignified, clean and wholesome activities, like singing wedding songs, etc. Dancing should be avoided. All such functions should be conducted with minimal formality. 6. Gifts at the weddings are voluntary and optional. The practice of gift-registry is to be avoided so as not to create any sense of obligation to subscribe. (The Ahmadiyya Gazette, USA, January/February 2003, p 34) ± 458