Is it permissible to conduct the Islamic marriage contract (Al-Fatiha) in a place other than the groom's family home, given the long distance and the customs of the bride's family that necessitate performing it in their home, while the groom's family insists on performing it in their home?

Reciting Al-Fatiha before the marriage contract has no basis in Islamic law nor was it practiced by the Salaf as-Salih (righteous predecessors), and therefore should be abandoned. As for the location where the contract is to be concluded, it is determined by consultation and mutual agreement. If no agreement is reached, then custom is to be followed. If there is no prevailing custom, then it is preferable for the contract to be concluded at the bride's family home.