Thirty-six couples enjoyed an all-expenses paid mass wedding celebration that was organized in the framework of a venture to encourage young Syrians to wed.
Some 700 well-wishers were on hand for the event Tuesday night. A dancing band waiting at the entrance lifted swords as the excited couples entered the hall, many dressed in wedding clothes donated by Syrian companies.
"I am very happy with this mass wedding," 33-year-old bride Tamam al-Ali was quoted as saying by AP. "My bridegroom couldn't have made me such a party. In fact, this mass wedding mitigates a lot of expenses on his part."
Recent statistics have shown that over fifty percent of Syrians of a marriageable age are unwed because they couldn't afford the high cost of a wedding, or even afford an apartment and its furnishings.
Tuesday's wedding party, held at a sports center, was organized by the Revolutionary Youths Union, which is affiliated with the Baath Party.
Wedding organizer Elias Shahoud said a fund-raising campaign among businesses paid the cost of the mass wedding. The couples were also given electrical appliances and a three-night stay at a five-star hotel in Latakia.
Another fifty couples are expected to get married in another ceremony in September. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
