Nice day for a mass wedding
UAE mass marriages are always a heartwarming story, given the ludicrous and vast amounts of debt so many other young Emiratis get themselves into over their weddings:
Abu Dhabi: Five hundred young Emiratis, from all seven emirates, will tie the knot in a mass wedding dubbed the "Emirates wedding", on Friday, at the Dubai World Trade Centre's Za'abeel ballroom.
The wedding, which is being funded personally by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, is being celebrated on the occasion of the second anniversary of Shaikh Mohammad's accession as Ruler of Dubai.
If only there could be a general mindshift to view overblown nuptials as tacky and profligate rather than socially desirable, then there might be more young couples embarking on matrimony unblighted by huge debts:
"The Institute for International Research, a UAE think-tank, puts the average cost of a wedding ceremony in the UAE at Dh300,000 – 50 times the salary of an entry-level government employee in Dubai."
So good luck to these five hundred sensible young people, and may their marriages be long and happy.
Abu Dhabi: Five hundred young Emiratis, from all seven emirates, will tie the knot in a mass wedding dubbed the "Emirates wedding", on Friday, at the Dubai World Trade Centre's Za'abeel ballroom.
The wedding, which is being funded personally by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, is being celebrated on the occasion of the second anniversary of Shaikh Mohammad's accession as Ruler of Dubai.
If only there could be a general mindshift to view overblown nuptials as tacky and profligate rather than socially desirable, then there might be more young couples embarking on matrimony unblighted by huge debts:
"The Institute for International Research, a UAE think-tank, puts the average cost of a wedding ceremony in the UAE at Dh300,000 – 50 times the salary of an entry-level government employee in Dubai."
So good luck to these five hundred sensible young people, and may their marriages be long and happy.
10 Comments:
I agree with you SD, this is a nice shift in the attitude. It's not about not having enough money to get married privately in a humble ceremony, rather it's a gesture toward breaking silly traditions that might seriously affect young people's mindset on marriage.
Specifically in UAE with small population, these kind of moves can take effect very quickly.
I remember a while ago I was watching a private video on a mass wedding that took place sometime in the late 70’s. Families used to marry the son, brother/s & cousin all in one event due to the costs & bearing in mind those relatives invited are living all over the UAE. Transportation wasn’t easy. I hardly attend an event like that today, sadly, even though they still take place. Mass weddings are one of the ways for solving the UAE population rate that is a major issue the government recently discussed in the media.
Unfortunately, SOME nationals today selfishly endeavor themselves into debts just to for the sake of a brag & have the best event in the season. Ok, fine it’s the day a woman has been waiting for most of her life & it has to be special. But, socializing is a major culture issue that is vital especially in weddings.
Now having friends recently married, the cost of catering is increasing almost twice a year, which is ridiculous. A reasonable wedding event could have around 400 guests. Not to forget that there’s a women’s event & men’s event. People could be offended on not being invited hence the bride/groom decides to cut down the guest list for the sake of those high expenses.
I don’t put the blame on how selfish new couples have become or the caterers. Firstly, the inflation rate in the UAE, 20% is one reason. Secondly, SOME intolerant families are being very selfishly demanding.
To all those 500 unselfish nationals: “God bless them & have them blessed & joined in good.” Inshallah.
I wonder if it's followed by mass consummation of the marriage LOL :)
It's not just here either, typical western weddings cost tens of thousands of dollars, and I'm sure they do around the world.
In Australia it's not unusual for a wedding to cost more than the average national annual wage. it's stupidity.
Hey Guys...Good topic - Marriage.
I am having some problem regarding this subject and would like to know if anyone can help with suggestions or ideas.
I am an Indian muslim guy and my Gf is a Pakistani girl. Her parents are having objection to our relationship. According to UAE laws, the girl cannot marry unless her father signs in the court and as she's under her fathers sponsorship she is kind of being held hostage at her own home. She cannot go out or use the net and even talk on the phone.
If someone has any suggestions, pls let me know.
Ps. SD, your views welcome too!
@ Troubled
I'd find a way to approach your girl's parents and convince them. Use an influential third party too, if it helps.
What you shouldn't do is something that your girl's parents would consider reckless on your part, which in turn could be detrimental to her health.
That's about a sanest piece of advice I can belt out in addition to wishing you immense luck with your current predicament.
Stay healthy :)
troubled:
(I am an Indian muslim guy and my Gf is a Pakistani girl. Her parents are having objection to our relationship.)
I really don’t know your situation. But do read your first sentence & you would find two reasons for this objection. (hint: Gf & Pakistani) .
It is the Sharia law, not UAE laws. When a Muslim girl is to get married & her father is there his approval is a must & he happens to sign the marriage contract along with her & the groom. It is not a country law. It is a Sharia law practiced in all Muslim marriage cases.
(She cannot go out or use the net and even talk on the phone.)
Wow! Can they be more intolerant?
@ Emirati
Dont you think Islam and Sharia Laws are contradicting then?
In Islam and hadees they say a muslim girl has the freedom and right to marry a man of her own choice. If you say Sharia law requires her father approval, then how is it a free will?
troubled:
Sharia law is the Islam law & it’s not contradicting because the law is based on the Quran & Hadith. (im irritated on how you managed to type that)
Yes, she has the right to chose whom she wants to marry. She has to address the judge verbally that she approves to marry this guy or ask a Mahram to do so instead.
All i’m saying here that if her parents disapprove of a marriage, and she insists on getting married, she can in Islam & it’s her choice. But she has disobeyed them. The first two things God punishes mankind on are:
1. Prayers, if they did not perform them.
2. Parents, if they disobeyed/disrespected them.
Meet her parents & get to know why they disapprove of this marriage. Don’t just assume things & become stubborn. If they approve or not, they will still be your in-laws!
I think next year they should hold it in Dubai, and advertise it as the BIGGEST Wedding in the World --that will get the Dubai-ites on board!
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