Wednesday, Dec 12, 2012
Dubai: Dubai Courts Department was in full swing on Wednesday to accommodate more than 95 newlyweds who tied the knot on the date of 12/12/12.
Seven times as many couples lined up to get married — some stalling until 12.12pm.
Newlyweds walked out of DCD’s special mini-hall with smiles on their faces and enjoying delicious traditional Emirati sweets as they married during the morning shift, Mohammad Abdul Rahman, the head of DCD’s personal status department, told Gulf News.
“It [12/12/12] being a very significant date, we have been preparing our staff logistically and administratively to be able to accommodate the anticipated rush.
“We increased the number of marriage officials [ma’azouns] to four. Usually we have one ma’azoun stationed in the department who marries around 13-15 couples. On Wednesday we had four ma’azouns who married around 95 couples during the morning shift [7.30am-1.30pm],” said Abdul Rahman.
The expected rush forced the Department, according to Abdul Rahman, to urge newlyweds to spend 10-minutes each to celebrate their marriage ceremonies with direct families and loved ones in DCD’s special wedding hall.
The Department’s staff counters and waiting halls were made wider to accommodate the special occasion, he said.
“The number of wedded couples jumped up seven times compared to daily wedding registries. That is something fascinating. There were couples who came as early as 6.30am and had the marriage e-applications and required forms ready.
“Some of them kept on stalling until the clock struck 12:12:12. Our staff also distributed traditional sweets, fruits and flowers to the newlyweds,” Abdul Rahman told Gulf News.
Abdul Rahim Al Hashimi, head of personal status services section, said: “A massive number of couples had planned to marry on December 12. The queues were long and the crowds were very keen to tie their knots at such a remarkable date.
“We have assigned three ma’azouns and a sharia judge to accommodate the afternoon rush. We also provided newlyweds with special brochures about marriage.
“Newlyweds used to celebrate their marriages near the counters or outside the Department’s entrance. Yet, the special 40 square-metre wedding hall was set up in 2007 to grant newlyweds the opportunity to take commemorative pictures with their families in a suitable atmosphere.”
On the other hand, Abdul Rahman said: “We also deployed special marriage officials to houses of couples who wished to tie the knot on Wednesday.”
Records of newlyweds during the afternoon shift were unavailable by the time when this copy went to print.
By Bassam Zaza Legal and Court ?Correspondent
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
