Madinah mass wedding turns into big celebration

Madinah celebrated the mass marriage of 1,000 young Saudi men and women at Prince Muhammad Sports City here Wednesday with a variety of cultural programs, including folk dances, songs and dramas.
Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed, who officiated the event organized by the Charitable Society for Marriage and Family Care (Usrati), commended sponsors and philanthropists who made the event a big success.
“What we have seen this evening is the fruit of efforts exerted by different people. Some of them have donated money while others contributed their time. Today is a happy day for everybody,” the governor said and congratulated the new couples.
Prince Abdul Aziz distributed the keys of cars won during a draw by three newlywed grooms, Sami Al-Sahli, Ali Saleh Ali and Abdul Majeed Rashid, while the father of a bride received a SR10,000 cash prize.
Abdul Bari Al-Thubaity, imam and khateeb of the Prophet’s Mosque and secretary-general of Usrati, said all citizens of the Madinah province would benefit from the society’s activities, adding the organization has branches in Yanbu, Mahd Al-Dahab, Al-Ula and Badr.
Parents who participated in the event commended the organizers of mass wedding, saying it is the answer for those unable to meet growing wedding expenditures.
Hind, one of the girls who got married on Wednesday night, expressed her happiness and thanked Prince Abdul Majeed for attending the wedding. Fatima, mother of a bride, highlighted the importance of such events saying it would not only reduce expenditure but also strengthen social unity and amity.