MAZAR-I-SHARIF (PAN): A total of 52 pairs tied the knot at a mass marriage ceremony held in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, on Monday, thanks to three businessmen who financially supported the event that cost $40,000.
The businessmen were Ghulam Abbas Akhlaqi, also deputy head of the provincial council, Zulfikar and Ahmad Shah Ramazan.
Ramazan told reporters the motive behind the mass marriage was to enable couples from the poorest sections to enter wedlock, saying there were still many other engaged youth who could not afford to arrange their marriages.
He said the event was an annual feature that involved eligible couples after their registration. The couples were also given nearly a dozen necessary equipment and goods, he said, adding each pair cost $800.
Sajjadullah Hussaini, whose Nikah was performed at the ceremony, said he was very happy over his marriage that came two years after his engagement.
“I own an electrical tools shop and earn money that hardly meets my family’s monthly needs. It was a month back when I learned about this mass marriage ceremony and then I met its organizers to register may name,” he said.
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