Marriage Fund distributes Dh4.51m to young men

The UAE Marriage Fund distributed Dh4.51 million among national youths as marriage assistance yesterday , encouraging them to marry UAE women.

The amount was given to 107 young nationals who belong to different tribes living in Al Ain region, and had applied for the marriage grant. The cheques were distributed by Sheikh Mohammed Hamad bin Raqad Al Amiri, Chairman of the marriage fund in Al Ain.

He said the recipients of the grant can spend the amount in covering the expenses of both the wedding and setting up home.

The cheques were given in a ceremony held yesterday at the premises of Al Ain Municipality.

Heads of different tribes, members of the National Consultative Council, and officials of the Marriage Fund were also present.

Out of the total 107 nationals, 64 were given Dh40,000 each, 37 were given Dh30,000 each, and the remaining six received Dh70,000 each.

Al Amiri, speaking on the occasion, also extended thanks and gratitude to President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan for the continued and generous support to the activities of the marriage fund.

He said Sheikh Zayed's support has contributed enormously in the achievement of social stability in the emirates.

"The fund has been contributing in promoting awareness in the UAE about wrong social practices of high amounts of dowry, and the dangers of divorce, by organising campaigns that targets social and educational institutions," he added.

For the UAE nationals who are studying abroad, the fund has also been carrying out special awareness drives and programmes. These campaigns include visits of the fund's official to the United States, Britain, Egypt and other countries.

During their visits these officials inform young nationals about the negative effects on the UAE society of marrying women from foreign countries. The fund has also been organising mass weddings in Al Ain and other parts of the country.

The fund has also devised a number of programmes to promote social activities. These will be implemented in the next three years.

The programmes will also highlight the importance of family relations and conduct scientific research and studies to analyse social phenomena and problems faced by the UAE families.