Rakesh Chaurasia/New Delhi

Setting a new trend, a Muslim woman of Murshidabad had demanded 60 books as Meher, a mandatory gift from husband to his wife, to mark a Muslim wedding.

In Islamic traditions, the man may have the right to divorce but he has to pay meher to her. This was meant to ensure that men don't use their right to divorce a woman arbitrarily; they should know that they have to pay a price.

The book-loving bride is Moyna Khatoon of Kiddarpur in Murshidabad, West Bengal. Moyna is a student of BA of the DN College of Kalyani University. She married Mizanur Rahman on March 1.

In January, when Moyna's parents were discussing the arrangement for the wedding with Mizanur Rahman’ parents at Bhagalpur she conveyed to them her demand for books and not the usual cash as meher.

The groom’s family looked a bit surprised at this unconventional demand but readily agreed to it.

Her parents also initially failed to understand the logic behind her demand, However, Moyna was firm on her demand and they accepted it.

On the occasion of her wedding, many cartons of books were delivered to her. The inquisitive neighbours were told that it was her Meher gift from the groom; they were too were surprised. 

Nonetheless, this unique idea of Moyna was hailed by villagers and her relatives alike.

Mizanur is happy to have paid the meher to his bride. A member of her family told the media that at first, he was a little surprised at Monya’s unconventional demand. However, he was happy to realise the importance of knowledge in the eyes of his wife.

He ended up sending her more than 60 books. These books include the Quran in the Bengali language and books related to the literature of Rabindranath Tagore, Nazrul Islam and Bibhuti Bhushan Bandhopadhyay.