Manama: A mass wedding in Yemen for 4,000 brides and grooms is believed to be the largest in the world.
The event organised by the Orphans’ Development Foundation to assist orphaned Yemenis who were not able to afford a ceremony reportedly cost $2.5 million (Dh9.4 million) and was funded by Qatar’s former Emir Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani.
“The ceremony was for the parentless community because they are often in need of support, particularly given the current economic situation,” the foundation said, quoted by Yemen Times.
“To date, several mass weddings have been held, but this is the biggest one for orphans worldwide,” Khattab Al Hemyari, the foundation’s public relations officer, said.
Grooms on Thursday said that they were happy with their dreams, long challenged by financial hardships and living difficulties, coming true.
A 28-year-old groom told the Yemeni daily that he did not have a reliable source of income because he worked in the construction sector and received a low daily wage.
“I registered at the foundation two years ago and they requested proof that I had not been married before or that I did not have a family,” he said. “A month ago I was notified that the wedding was scheduled for October 31 and received YR150,000 (Dh2,564) as well as clothes from the foundation.”
