Catholic invited to Muslim wedding - etiquette?
Please excuse me if this is not the correct place to ask this question.
I am a Catholic, and one of my best friends is a Muslim. He mentioned that he is getting engaged soon, and to block off my calendar for a couple possible times the wedding may be. I do not know anything about Muslim weddings. My concerns are mainly that I do not want to offend my friend or his family and I also want to follow my own faith:
- Is there anything an attendee of a Muslim wedding would be expected to do in the way of worship (saying prayers, making signs of reverence)?
- Are non-Muslims even traditionally allowed to attend Muslim weddings?
- Where are Muslim weddings usually held? At a mosque, at home, or at a rented hall?
- Anything else I should know as someone who knows the basic tenets of Islam, but almost nothing about the common practice or devotion of Muslims in the US?
Posted Jul 13, 2015, 9:00 PM UTC
117
Nope. You're in the clear.
Yes. The only 'Muslim'-specific thing about a Muslim wedding is that the marriage is performed with an Islamic ritual/prayer instead of that of another faith or civil institution. Everything else is cultural-specific.
Any of these places. Though, if your friend invited you, it's probably in a rented hall. Not that you can't visit a mosque... it's just that mosques are typically used for very small, ritual-only weddings, as wedding festivities are typically not conducted in a mosque. Unless your friend is very wealth, in which case it might be in a home?
You should have fun! Unfortunately, 99% of what you experience will be cultural-specific, so we can't answer questions in very much detail. Sorry about that.
Just to add to this; remember not to attempt to shake hands with someone of the opposite gender.... other than that just gave fun! Eat the food talk to people etc.
Not to get into a slapfight, but I think that this is also cultural specific. The recommendation I heard on this sub is to not extend your hand out first; instead, give a nod or smile. I think that's useful.
Your wording is better!
It isn't allowed to make first contact towards the opposite gender, only say Salaam if you're approached first. Otherwise lower your gaze inshallah.
Thank you very much!