Druken Groom Makes Bride Leave Him

A girl in a village in Mahoba district stunned members of her family and community when she refused to marry the groom because she found him in an inebriated state just ahead of the wedding ceremony on April 28.

The incident took place late on Tuesday night at Ajnar village of the district when Neha (name changed), daughter of Shripat Ahirwar refused to marry her drunk groom who had to return home humiliated and shattered.

Neha's marriage was to be solemnised with Arvind, a native of Ragauli village under the limits of Harpalpur police station in MP (Madhya Pradesh), on April 28.

Neha, in her early 20s, was decked up in traditional red bridal attire and ready for 'jaimaal' ceremony, but on seeing Arvind drunk and quarelling with her siblings and other guests over DJ music, she refused to marry him and walked away from the venue.

"At the 'mandap', the priest who was getting disturbed while chanting mantras, asked the siblings of the girl to stop playing DJ music. When they stopped the DJ, Arvind and his relatives who were drunk started quarelling with them and created a scene. Neha, who was witness to the entire drama, called off the wedding," informed SHO Rajiv Yadav. Villagers also supported Neha and asked her parents not to force her into marrying a person against her wishes. Sources said that the groom was so drunk that he along with other members of the 'baraat' created ruckus at the wedding venue.

The girl's father and siblings too took a courageous stand and asked the 'baraat' to return. "She found full backing from her parents," family sources said. "She refused to marry the man who was drunk. I did not force her to marry against her wishes," said Shripat Ahirwar, Neha's father. "The marriage party was looking like a party of drunken people. Neha could not tolerate that the boy who is going to be her better half should come in an inebriated state. She could not digest that after taking liquor the groom should utter abusive words to her relatives," said a relative of the girl.

The groom's side later approached the police but was advised not to pursue the case.

"What can police do, if a girl refuses to marry a drunk man," said SHO Yadav.

(Originally published in The Times Of India)

Source: Indiatimes

Sex Shop To Open in Mecca, Sharia Compliant

A "sharia compliant" sex shop is reportedly set to open in Mecca selling halal products and toys.

El Asira, an erotic brand originating in Amsterdam, is branching out to Islam's holiest city in Saudi Arabia, visited by millions of Muslims a year on the "hajj" pilgrimage.

Founder Abdelaziz Aouragh announced his ambition last year but now the shop is almost ready to open, Morocco-based website Alyaoum24 reported.

Muslim clerics and Saudi sheikhs have reportedly been consulted to ensure the business complies with local laws and customs.

"The products we're putting on the market have nothing to do with blow-up dolls or vibrators," Mr Aouragh told the AFP news agency.

"It's not about the sex act, it's what's going on around it. Our products increase the atmosphere and heighten feelings of sensuality."

Women's freedoms are severely restricted in Saudi Arabia and Islamic codes of behaviour and dress are strictly enforced but El Asira says it strives to lead to "more admiration and love for women" by improving marital relationships.

Its website describes all products as "sharia compliant" and claims they can "provide a deeper meaning to sexuality, sensuality and even spirituality".

Everything sold online and in the brand's shops has been deemed "halal", meaning they are permissible according to Islamic law.

"All our products are maintaining the integrity, pure humanity and ethics inherent with the sharia," the website says.

The company, launched in the Netherlands in 2010, specializes in sensual oils and is backed by German adult company Beate Uhse.

Source: TOI

Black Mayor Elected Leads to 80% of Police Force Quit

NEW YORK: The election of the first black mayor in a small Missouri town has prompted an exodus of city employees, with 80 per cent of the town's police force resigning before mayor Tyrus Byrd even took office. 

The Parma, Missouri city attorney, city clerk and water-treatment supervisor also stepped down before Ms Byrd officially took over the town last week, according to KFVS. Outgoing mayor Randall Ramsey — who was in city government for 37 years — said the officers offered no notice before resigning. 

It is not immediately clear why the officers quit the force, but the other administrators said their resignations were a result of "safety concerns". Five of the department's six officers stepped down, including two full-time and three part-time cops. 

Residents of Parma told the media that they are not concerned about the loss of the officers, saying the town probably was overstaffed with police. 

"I think it was pretty dirty the way they all quit without giving her a chance," resident Martha Miller said. "But I don't think they hurt the town by quitting, because who needs six police for 740 people?"

Source: TOI