Sir: The practice of dowry should be abolished from our system. The parents of a girl spend their lifelong earnings on the marriage of their daughter. Many times, they borrow funds to meet the demands of the bridegroom’s family. Unfortunately, the girl is often sent back to her parents’ home due to insufficient or meagre amount of dowry. This existing practice in our society is alien to Islamic tenets. Islam has ordered men to provide dower to women. It is an obligation imposed by the law on the husband as a mark of respect for his wife (Fatwa-i-Alamgiri). The practice of giving dowry by the girl’s parents is inimical to Islam. ADNAN ARSHAD Quetta