ZARANJ/GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): A collective wedding featuring 100 couples was held in southwestern Nimroz and 18 couples tied the knot in a similar event in southern Ghazni to promote simple marriage ceremonies.

The Habibyar Charity organized the event for 100 couples in Zaranj on Thursday. Families, local officials and elders also attended the ceremony held at the Qasr-i-Nowin Hotel.

Maulvi Tajuddin, the charity head, said each couple received 100,000 afghanis worth of dowry and household items.

The aid included carpets, appliances, kitchenware, clothes and other essentials for starting a new life, he added.

This was the 14th group wedding ceremony arranged by the charity nationwide and the 7th in Nimroz.

The programme aims to discourage lavish wedding customs, prevent youth migration due to poverty and support needy families.

“We want to promote positive culture, ease the economic burden of marriage and fight harmful customs,” Tajuddin added.

In Ghazni, 18 couples tied the knot in a similar mass wedding.

Qari Mohammad Ghaws Kawosh, head of Saadat Charity, said the wedding cost 800,000 afs, covered by the foundation and local traders.

He said the 34 brides and grooms could not afford separate ceremonies due to poverty.

Kawosh said this was the 5th such ceremony organised in Ghazni in the past four years.

Ahmad Shakeb, one of the grooms, said he was happy to join the event as he could not afford a separate wedding.

Another groom, Sharif, said such mass weddings help avoid unnecessary expenses.

He thanked the organisers, saying most grooms were unable to hold weddings due to unemployment and poverty.

hz/ma

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