DAMMAM: Efforts by the government, Islamic scholars and social activists to bring down the bride’s “mehr” (dowry) and marriage expenses are proving futile.
Tribes in different parts of the Kingdom are undeterred, even though the government has gone to the extent of fixing the cost of marriage at SR40,000-SR50,000, including dowry.
According to statistics from different marriage bureaus and the Justice Ministry, the Al-Ahsa governorate leads the race for dowry with demands shooting up to SR100,000, including all costs.
Al-Ahsa is followed by Sakaka with total marriage expenses of up to SR90,000, including dowry, and gifts to the bride’s father and to the mother.
Jeddah notched the third spot with a maximum cost of SR80,000.
Makkah has the lowest minimum marriage cost at SR15,00 but some families demand up to SR70,000.
The places where marriages costs are well within the maximum fixed by the government are Mahayail in Asir, SR30,000 to SR40,000; Qunfudah, SR20,000 to SR45,000; Yanbu and Al-Majammah, SR40,000 to SR50,000; Khamis Mushait, SR40,000; Madinah, SR30,000 to SR50,000; and Zulfi, SR40,000 to SR50,000.
The marriage expenses include dowry and jewelry for the bride, banquet and payment to the family members of the bride.
