The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, on Friday, formally launched the campaign for reforms in marriage -- Sunnat Nikah Muhim (campaign for marriage as per Islamic law).

AIMPLB Vice-President and Imam of Aishbagh Idgah Maulana Khalid Rashid launched the campaign and read the 11-point nikahnama approved by the Muslim Personal Law Board.

"Nikah in Islam is not a `rasm' (formal tradition), it is 'ibadat' (holy act) and no 'haram' (un-Islamic) act can be performed during 'ibadat'. The Muslim Personal Law Board through the nikahnama urges Muslims to refrain from organising dance, music and fireworks during Dawat-e-Walima and the marriage ceremony should be performed in simple manner without indulging in extravaganza." Maulana Rashid said.

The 11-point charter was also read in other mosques in Lucknow and other districts. Maulana Rashid said Muslims in large numbers endorsed the new nikahnama and also signed in its favour.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has issued the new 'nikahnama' for Muslims in the country to ban dowry and extravaganza during nikah ceremony. The 11-point nikahnama was recently released by AIMPLB Chairman Maulana Syed Rabe Hasan Nadvi and General Secretary Maulana Wali Rehmani after approval from renowned Muslim clerics.

AIMPLB Chairman Maulana Rabe Hasan Nadvi has appealed to the Muslim community to stay away from the social evil of dowry and wasteful expenditure during nikah. He has urged Muslims to solemnise nikah at mosques as per Islamic traditions instead of holding mega functions in marriage halls.

The new nikahnama completely bans dowry, manjha (haldi ceremony) and other un-Islamic traditions like marriage procession, fireworks, DJ, dancing, etc. The nikah ceremony is to be held at mosques instead of marriage halls to check wasteful expenditures. It also stresses on strictly following time scheduled for solemnising nikah.

After the nikah, the groom is expected to behave and take care of his wife as well as per Sunnat.

The new nikahnama was drafted by the AIMPLB after the suicide by Ayesha, a Muslim girl from Gujarat, over dowry harassment that triggered a countrywide debate among Muslim clerics over social evils taking over simple nikah as per Islam