Interfaith Voices at a Muslim Wedding
By C. Naseer Ahmad
Oakton , VA
"Multiculturalism is dead," so proclaimed Angela Merkel on October 17, 2010, the Wedding reception day for Drs Ali Khan and Asima Ahmed. And, on October 2, 2010 issue of The Spectator, a British Magazine in London published a 994-word litany of gripes by columnist Rod Liddel about Halal food becoming available in British supermarkets. Unfortunately, neither of these personalities was on the guest list. Too bad, it was their loss.
It is not unusual for a turbaned or a bearded man to be at a Muslim wedding. But, a striking thing about the turbaned young speaker was that he was not spewing volcanic ash. A Sikh - playing the best man role - at a Muslim wedding? Well, that was one of the most refreshing sights to see within less than hundred hours of crossing the Atlantic. Ajay Kalotra spoke fondly about childhood and growing up together. Abundant in his words was love, not just for Ali but also for his parents.
Then came the "Life and Times of Dr. Ali Khan" - a roast by the friends of Ali from high school going all the way to the Ivy League. Somehow it was felt that each roaster patronized a different house of worship. Judging by the response of the audience as well as the rolling in laughter of the Roasted Ali, it was all done in good humor.
It was hard to ignore that it was a traditional wedding. The tradition that stood out most was modesty. To begin with, the invitation card said: “Your presence is the gift”. So, the absence of exuberant display of wealth and gaudiness was most pleasing spiritually.
Some might have said that "love - it is a river" that flowed on the Reston Hyatt Regency Ballroom floor because of the poems sung by an aunt or by the flowing prose of another aunt. Some might have even felt that Bette Midler might have a competition. But, then again, prudence dictated to stay out of bones of contention.
A source of love hovering around tables was Professor Shabaz Mallick, Ali’s grandfather. He gave no impression of being either a secret Muslim or a scold that makes one want to run away from. He just simply seemed to be a practicing Muslim who has performed the Haj thirteen times – a double-digit lead over any spiritual aspirant.
Quiet joy radiated from the faces of the proud parents Altaf and Nasim Khan as they received and mingled with their guests. Both have reasons to celebrate not just in Ali’s success but continuing successful lives as independent business owners. Not to mention, caring for the recent flood victims in Pakistan and Pakistani Christians victimized in Sangla Hill as well as other minorities.
Together with their guests they appear to contribute to the welfare of this society – and not be on welfare as many immigrant bashers would like you to believe.
If representatives of some European auto makers were to follow the guests - many of whom traveled long distances - to the parking lot, they might have felt the urge to advise Ms. Merkel to temper her remarks. In today's world, one can't confuse real customers with whipping boys.
Having recently roamed the alleys of Lisbon and Walton-on-Thames, one is tempted to offer a humble suggestion to our friends across the pond: try importing the American model of ingenuity and inclusiveness. And, dare we say, decency?!
