In a place where joy has been absent for over two years, 406 couples gathered on Thursday in the Gaza Strip for a mass wedding organized by Turkey, bringing a glimmer of happiness back to the faces of Palestinians.
Under a cold winter sky, the town of Al-Zawayda hosted one of the largest mass weddings the Strip has witnessed since the outbreak of the war on October 8, 2013, in a scene that restored joy, albeit temporarily, amidst the destruction and rubble.
As part of a humanitarian initiative, the Turkish “Ribat” Association organized the mass wedding, uniting 203 grooms and 203 brides, in a message of support and solidarity from Turkey to the war-weary Palestinians.
The majority of the participants are displaced persons and those affected by the war. Some lost their homes, while others lost relatives and friends, but they came together to begin a new life, defying a harsh reality that seeks to rob them of their most basic rights to joy and stability.
The media coordinator for the Ribat Association in Gaza, Abdel Fattah al-Namla, said that this mass wedding represents “a humble gift from the generous people of Turkey, who have always stood by us, especially the Ribat Association.”
The media coordinator explained that the event was held to embody the values of solidarity and humanity during one of the most difficult times the Gaza Strip has experienced.
He added, “We came to bring smiles and joy to the hearts of young people who are striving to persevere and rebuild life in Gaza, despite the occupation’s attempts to spread messages of despair and pain.”
