Unnecessary customs

This refers to the article, ‘Stories of conversion’ (June 21) by Rahimullah Yusufzai. The writer has justly diagnosed some of the causes of conversion of Kalash women to Islam or other religions. Apparently, some Kalash people have renounced their own religion as they are unable to meet the exorbitant expenditures spent on various rituals.

Our religion does not permit us to be extravagant at any cost. There is no compulsion, whatsoever, in our religion to be pompous and gaudy. But, unfortunately, we are also falling prey to unnecessary extravagance. We need to do away with such superfluous customs. We must practise only what is permitted in our religion.

Muhammad Fayyaz

Mianwali