PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA, April 22, 2020 (Free Malaysia Today): The country’s main Hindu organisation says wedding rites and rituals for the religion cannot be conducted online, just days after the federal territories Islamic authorities allowed a virtual marriage solemnization ceremony in light of the partial lockdown due to Covid-19. Malaysia Hindu Sangam president RS Mohan Shan said unlike Muslims, Hindus have to undergo marriage customs and rituals which must be done face-to-face.
“It is compulsory for Hindus to register their marriages at the National Registration Department (JPN),” he said, adding that this could be done online. “But if you follow traditional Hindu customs, there are things that cannot be done online. Although the marriage is recognised by JPN, as long as it does not conform to Hindu custom, it is not regarded as a formal union,” he told FMT. According to Mohan, Hindu rituals such as the groom tying yellow thread around the bride, circling the fire seven times and seeking the blessing of both parents are customs which have to be done face-to-face. “Every ceremony and ritual that is performed has its own distinctive meaning,” he said.