JEDDAH, 26 June 2007 — The Charity Society for Helping Youth Get Married in Jeddah is putting the final touches on a mass wedding that will see 300 couples tie the knot.
The party for the grooms will take place at the International Convention Center on July 3 under the aegis of Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, governor of the Makkah region and honorary president of the society.
Sheikh Abdulmuhsin Al-Khayyal, president of Makkah’s Cassation Court and chairman of the society, announced the news. The organization helps low-income Saudis with the costs of marriage, often cited as one of the reasons why more Saudis are waiting to get married.
Talib Al-Attas, the director of the organization, said that more than SR5 million has been donated for this summer’s group marriage.
More than SR3 million has been donated for post-wedding financial support. One anonymous donor, a woman, gave SR1.4 million worth of home appliances and wedding gifts for brides and grooms, according to Al-Attas.
A draw was held at a gathering of the grooms on Saturday where honeymoon trips were given away and the men all received vouchers for free private medical services.
The group’s spokesman Hussain Hareth said the organization married 300 couples last year. The Jeddah-based organization offers its services to local couples that can show proof that they are in need of financial support to marry.
“They are offered pre-marriage courses including the importance of marriage, helpful information and guidance via specialists in order for them to run a happy family,” said Hareth, adding that these services are available to these couples into their married life.
Hareth said even if they needed additional help during their marriage, “They can always get back to our specialists.”
