By Zainab Abdul Hamid
Tema Aug. 23, GNA-Alhaji Khuzaima Mohammed Osman, the Executive Secretary of the Tijjaniya Muslims of Ghana, has stated that Muslims can adopt Western wedding traditions if they conform to Islamic principles.
Alhaji Osman, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), emphasised that Muslims could incorporate Western-style weddings into their ceremonies, provided they maintained modesty and avoided practices that contradict Islamic teachings.
“Islam does not attribute any spiritual significance to wedding rings or white gowns and consider them merely as cultural symbols,” he said.
He said the true bond between couples came from their commitment to each other and their faith, not from material objects or superstitions.
Muslims were now adopting Western style wedding traditions, incorporating elements such as elaborate receptions, wedding rings, and white wedding gowns into their Islamic ceremonies, although not rooted in Quranic teachings, which reflected a growing desire among Muslims to blend their faith with modern customs.
While the Quran emphasised simplicity and humility in wedding celebrations, many Muslims were opting for more elaborate and festive ceremonies, with some printing wedding invitation banners and posting them in the communities, in addition to the bride sewing many expensive dresses to change herself intermittently during the ceremony.
However, some Muslims had expressed concerns about the revealing nature of modern wedding gowns, which they say contradict Islamic values of modesty.
Ms Fati Tahiru, a Muslim, told the GNA that Muslims were not supposed to expose their bodies, but unfortunately most of the wedding gowns today revealed too much, which was not in line with Islamic values.
Ms Tahiru stressed the importance of decency in wedding attire, saying that while the intention behind wearing wedding gowns may be to celebrate a special occasion, it was crucial to remain mindful of Islamic values and modesty.
Additionally, the use of banners for weddings was unnecessary, suggesting that simpler and more modest celebrations would be more appropriate.
Hajia Madina Adams, an elderly Muslim woman, added that in Islam, a woman’s veil was a significant indicator of her marital status, serving as a symbol of her husband: “When we wear our veils, it’s a clear sign that we are married”.
Hajia Adams noted that while some married Muslim women opt for smaller veils, which were also worn by unmarried women, they may feel compelled to wear a ring as an additional indicator of their marital status to avoid confusion.
Others see the adoption of Western-style wedding traditions as blending their faith with modern customs.
Madam Faiza Zakari, another Muslim woman stated that the wearing of wedding rings was normal and seen as a practical way to indicate one’s marital status, especially to men.
She said the moment people see a ring on one’s finger, they would know they were married and believe it could help avoid unnecessary attention or complications.
GNA