UAE announces mass wedding initiative in Gaza to support struggling families

The UAE marks its 54th National Day by funding celebrations for 54 grooms

Last updated: November 16, 2025 | 22:01

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Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s ‘Operation Gallant Knight 3’ project has announced the launch of its first mass wedding initiative, ‘Thoub Al-Farah’ (The Dress of Joy), benefiting 54 grooms in the Gaza Strip. The initiative comes in celebration of the UAE’s 54th National Day and forms part of ongoing humanitarian efforts to support young people and ease the burden on families in Gaza during difficult circumstances.

The operation confirmed that registration will take place exclusively through the designated link on its official website, under the “Projects and Assistance” section, to streamline the process.

It noted that eligibility for the mass wedding initiative is limited to applicants who meet the following criteria:

Palestinian nationality and permanent residency in the Gaza Strip.
The applicant must be engaged, with an official marriage contract dated before 1 November 2025. Priority will be given to those with older contracts.
The applicant must be at least 27 years old, except for the sole surviving member of a family.
Must be single (unmarried).
Medically, mentally, and socially fit for marriage.
Must not be employed by any government entity and must be from a low-income household (poor families or those affected by the recent war).
Full commitment to the mass wedding guidelines and adherence to instructions issued by the committees overseeing Operation Gallant Knight 3.
Commitment to attending all official activities linked to the initiative and participating in media documentation.

The initiative marks another step in a series of humanitarian programmes aimed at supporting social stability and bringing joy to young people and families in Gaza.

Registration link: https://aid.alfaresalshahm.com/marriage-reg

Abdulla RasheedEditor - Abu Dhabi

Abdullah Rashid Al Hammadi  is an accomplished Emirati journalist with over 45 years of experience in both Arabic and English media. He currently serves as the Abu Dhabi Bureau Chief fo Gulf News. Al Hammadi began his career in 1980 with Al Ittihad newspaper, where he rose through the ranks to hold key editorial positions, including Head of International News, Director of the Research Center, and Acting Managing Editor. A founding member of the UAE Journalists Association and a former board member, he is also affiliated with the General Federation of Arab Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists. Al Hammadi studied Information Systems Technology at the University of Virginia and completed journalism training with Reuters in Cairo and London. During his time in Washington, D.C., he reported for Alittihad  and became a member of the National Press Club. From 2000 to 2008, he wrote the widely read Dababees column, known for its critical take on social issues. Throughout his career, Al Hammadi has conducted high-profile interviews with prominent leaders including UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and key Arab figures such as the late Yasser Arafat and former presidents of Yemen and Egypt. He has reported on major historical events such as the Iran-Iraq war, the liberation of Kuwait, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the establishment of the Palestinian Authority. His work continues to shape and influence journalism in the UAE and the wider Arab world.