The Nikkah is the actual marriage ceremony. The ceremony is performed by an Aalam ( a religious leader).The Aalam reads Kalma's (Islamic principles) in front of the groom and his family/friends. A marriage form is filled in and signed by the groom, Aalam and two witnesses. Then two other witnesses go to the bride and ask her permission. The form is then signed by the bride and her two witnesses. These two witnesses and the Aalam go back to where the groom and his family/friends are. The Aalam then reads the Khutba (Addresses the teaching of Islam) to gathering and groom. After the Aalam finishes his Khutba, he prays for a happy marriage. The mitai (sweet) is distributed among people. Most couples have their religious ceremonies at the same time as their cultural ceremony. For more information click on Islamic marriage ceremonies click on Nikkah. We had our nikkah a year before our cultural ceremony. Our Nikkah was held at Islamic Foundation in Villa Park on August 24th, 2002.