 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
During the wedding....
(continuation...) |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Imam Basem then introduced us all to the Chief Imam of the Islamic Center which is Imam Saedur Rahman. Imam Saedur Rahman looked (especially in Kev's eyes) like someone who had just walked out of Afghanistan, with his big beard and slightly tattered robes. He just grunted a lot and nod at Imam Basem, speaking little. Imam Basem started with an explanation of the day's itenary. He said that we will start with Kev's conversion, and then the marriage ceremony. Imam Saedur Rahman took over and asked Kev to repeat after him the Syahadah word-by-word in Arabic and then in English. In the second part of the sentence, I realized that it differed slightly from what Kevin had practised and heard from me for the past weeks. I said a small prayer that he could do it. Kevin didn't bat an eyelid but just steamed on ahead with the arabic words.
When that was over, Imam Basem with a big smile continued the ceremony. He then started with a verse from the Quran regarding marriage, again first in Arabic then in English. Amongst his speech that I remembered was from verses 5:5 and 24:33 - basically which started quite aptly with "Today, all the good things in life have been made lawful to you..." He then continued with what makes a happy muslim marriage. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
All of us starting to feel more comfortable with the ceremony (note the smiles!). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
He then asked all of us to repeat after him a doa (small prayer) to ask God to bless our marriage. Then, he asked us if we both had agreed upon the dowry, and we nodded. He then wanted to continue without us having to say out loud what it was but the Imam Saedeer Rahman wanted to write down the amount for his records so Kev said out loud something which was not what we both agreed upon previously. I remembered sitting there and trying not to look like a fish (with my mouth open). Let's just say that of all the teasing that he had given me before, this was one that made me want to laugh and also at the same time wonder at his audacity (I think he was testing me if I wanted to contest the dowry amount in front of everyone). It was a much bigger gift then what we discussed but I just shrugged because the Imam didn't understand it and said something totally different. I was still unsure if I want to laugh or cry at this moment so I just kept quiet as a good bride does.
Imam Basem then asked me first to recite the wedding proclamation after him. This was also different for me, as I'm used to the groom being the first to say it. The whole sentence or wedding proclaimation was quite sweet actually. I had basically asked Kevin to marry me and that I promise to be a good muslim wife to him. It was then his turn, and he sailed through the Arabic verses magnificantly, and it roughly translated that he accepted me to be his wife and that he will be a good muslim husband for me. Imam Basem then clapped his hands and said out loud that we're both married. I felt kind of a small shock of wonder - the whole event went by really smoothly and quite fast. They then gave us papers to sign, and we gave them our marriage license from the State for them to fill in. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
We're both signing our single lives away...but I don't think either of us mind too much about that. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|