from Vinay Pais
for Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (AF)

Kundapur, Jan 25: Free marriages are nowadays the order of the day. They greatly help the poor of any community as the evil of dowry system is avoided thus strengthening the age-old family bonds of society.

The mass marriages facilitated by the Dubai-based organization headed by K M Ashraf under the banner of Kundapur Muslim Development Council were solemnized at the Grace Auditorium of Thekkatte.

Speaking on the occasion as chief guest ex-MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty said that brides were not commodities to barter with money and that the new innovation to destroy the evil of dowry was a model worth emulating by all.

Five newly-wedded couples were honoured during the occasion.

The programme was chaired by K M Ashraf Hanglooru, president of the Council. Among the guests present on the dais were Dr Sudhaker Nambiar, president, Kundapur Taluk Association of Journalists, Abdul Thoufiq Navunda president, Udupi district united Jamiath, Nasratullah Masakeen, Saudi Arabia, Haji Ibrahim Bedre, honorary president, B M Abdul, Beejady of the Council and Abdul Chani Hanglooru, owner of grace auditorium.

Former president Hanglooru M J M Abu Sheikh Sahib welcomed the gathering. K M Ashraf introduced the guests. B M Abdullah, director of the Council proposed the vote of thanks.