A Muslim Wedding Feast In Our Midst

The groom, Guiamel Hassim S. Macabangon is in Saudi Arabia; the bride, Maria Fe B. Lao is in Cebu and Ustadz Najeeb M. Rasul presided over their marriage through the facilities of a cell phone. Witnesses to the ceremonies were the groom’s parents, Farida and Abdulrahman Macabangon, who come from Cotabato City; bride’s parents, Jet Benedict and Fe B. Lao, Alvin Dizon and this writer. Very unique this so called “cell phone” wedding!

Your favorite food columnist knows very little about the Muslim Filipinos, so plenty of research gyud was necessary to understand their culture. The word Islam means “surrender” or “submission”—submission to the will of Allah. A follower of Islam is called a Muslim, which in Arabic means “one who surrenders to God.” (Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2007).

 Islam came to the Philippines around the 13th century, about two hundred years before the advent of Christianity in this country in 1521 (Speech of Former Senator Santanina T. Rasul). In 1380, Karim ul’ Makdum, the first Islamic missionary to reach the Sulu Archipelago, brought Islam to what is now the Philippines. Today, there are several Muslim groups like the Tausug, Maguindanao, Maranao, Samal, Yakan and the Banguingui.

Marriage (Nikha) among Muslim Filipinos is not a civil contract but a social institution. The person officiating the marriage shall indicate in the Certificate of Marriage that said marriage was solemnized in accordance with P.D. No. 1083, and fill up the attachment to the Certificate of Marriage with the following information: amount of mahr (dowry); first or subsequent marriage (http://www.census.gov.ph/data/civilreg/irr_muslim.html). I clearly remember Ustadz Najeeb M. Rasul asking the bride’s parents whether they are satisfied with the dowry and that they have no more claims to it. Different strokes for different cultures!

After the wedding is over, it is the time for the walimah or wedding feast and only Halal foods are served following the Zabihah ritual of animal slaughter. Pork and consumption of alcohol is never allowed (Haram). Smoking and eating shellfish are discouraged or Makruh (Cultural Foods around the World). The Macabangon family held the lunch feast at the G’rillah Restaurant (ML Quezon St. Cabangcalan Mandaue City, 420-7310, 316-2226).

Crispy Chicken, Beef Steak Chinese Style (very delicious), Fish Fillet in Sweet Sour Sauce, Sotanghon Guisado and Sautéed Vegetables were served. I have heard that this restaurant’s specialty is the Lechon Baka in their catering services.

“The walimah is the feast given on the occasion of marriage. Since marriage in Islam is a solemn contract and a happy occasion in a person’s life, it is recommended to share this joy with others, namely, relatives, friends and the poor members of the society through a wedding feast” (Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada).

Congratulation to the Macabangon couple, Jham and Fe!