Saturday, Dec 13, 2008
Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: The Palestinian Social Committee here is preparing for a mass traditional wedding for all Arab nationalities.
Last March the committee organised a traditional wedding for a Palestinian couple. "This time we will go for a mass Palestinian wedding for all Arabs who want to have the experience and have some unforgettable memories," Majdi Atari, secretary of the committee told Gulf News.
The committee is expecting 10-15 couples to wed through rites starting with the proposal for getting married (Tolba) by parents and older relatives, a henna night for the bride, a groom's bath and finally the Zaffa ceremony, when the bride and groom ride a horse to traditional Palestinian music and songs.
"Around 700 people attended the wedding [in March]. Many Palestinians who were born and raised outside their occupied land were amazed to witness such events ...," Atari said.
The ceremony was in line with the UAE's declaration of 2008 being the national identity year. "Bringing traditions alive is another tool to preserve national and Arab identity," Atari said.
"Every city in Palestine has its traditional customs and sometimes they have their own traditional songs. We would like to bring all of that alive through the mass wedding," he said.
Traditional singer Numan Al Jalmawi will sing at the wedding. Those who want to marry at the mass wedding proposed in March are asked to register before January 15 by calling the committee in Palestinian embassy or by registering through the website www.albayyara.com.
Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.
