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Rasme Saifee
By Qureish Raghib
Taking into consideration its practicality and popularity, Rasme Saifee was institutionalised in 1963.
The unique system of mass marriage in the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community, popularly known as Rasme Saifee was first initiated in the community by the 51st Dai al-Mutlaq, Dr. Syedna Taher Saifuddin in 1952 in Jamnagar, Saurashtra. Since than the popularity of Rasme Saifee within the Dawoodi Bohra community has increased manifold.
The community organises mass marriages in all parts of the world wherein the Nikah (marriage) of large numbers of Dawoodi Bohra couples are simultaneously performed in accordance with Islamic norms and Shariah principles.
Taking into consideration its practicality and popularity, Syedna Taher Saifuddin institutionalised Rasme Saifee in 1963 for the better management of the event. So the Taiseerun Nikah Committee was formed. Since then, under the guidance of the 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq, Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhan-uddin hundreds of such committees have been established at regional and local levels all over the world.
These world-wide organisa-tions are working under the co-ordination of the International Taiseerun Nikah Committee (I.T.N.C.) based in Mumbai. I.T.N.C. guides and counsels aspiring couples and organises Rasme Saifee in all parts of the world. Anjumane Null Bazar Chhabdi Bazar Niyaze Husain, a social welfare organisation has since the last 50 years been organising Rasme Saifee in Mumbai.
This year in co-ordination with I.T.N.C, the Anjuman made arrangements for the marriage of 500 Dawoodi Bohra couples on its golden jubilee occasion this year.
Rasme Saifee is an event of honour for the participating Dawoodi Bohras. This is because Nikahs are solemnized in the presence of Dr Syedna who personally blesses each and every couple individually. From top brass professionals and entrepreneurs to students, community members from the world over participate in this phenomenal event. An important aspect of Rasme Saifee is, all facilities and essentials are provided for and taken care of by the organisers at a very nominal charge.
On the day of Rasme Saifee, grooms participate in a colourful procession. While the grooms wear the traditional attire of Saya, Kurta, Pheta the brides wear the customary Rida. Both the bridal couples are bedecked in all floral grandeur and are seated at the venue (Saifee Masjid) with friends and relatives in systematically arranged blocks and have their Nikah meticulously solemnised.
Syedna solemnizes Nikah of one couple while other Nikahs are solemnized by Syedna’s brothers and sons. After the Nikah ceremony, the essential feature of Islamic tradition, the Valima, is also organised in Rasme Saifee.
The importance and significance of organising Rasme Saifee lies in urging the youth in the community to get married and settle down as soon as one comes to age. This phenomenal concept has been pivotal in nurturing a sense of responsi-bility within the Dawoodi Bohra youth. It eventually has reflected in being responsible community members and citizens in general.
(Email: qhraghib@yahoo.co.in)
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