Mass marriage ceremony: 80 couples in Kot Addu, 40 in Layyah tie the knot
Ceremonies sponsored by Iranian non-govt organisation.
KOT ADDU/LAYYAH:
Two marriage ceremonies of 80 couples in Kot Addu and 40 in Layyah were held on Thursday. Both ceremonies were organised by Imdad Imam Khomeini, an Iran-based non-government organisation.
The couples were from areas affected by last summer’s floods in the southern districts of the province.
Iranian consulate general Muhammad Hussain Bani Asadi was the guest of honour at both events. Addressing the ceremony in Layyah, Asadi said the ceremonies were a testament to the strength of the two countries’ ties. He said Iran would continue to support the Pakistani people in their hour of need.
Munazza and Babar Zeeshan, who got married at the Layyah ceremony, said their marriage was supposed to have been held last year before the flood.
They said their houses were demolished and all belongings lost in the flood so they could not get married. They said they had returned to their villages and were re-constructing their houses but had no money for a wedding.
Nayyar Abbass, a member of the organising team, said he had selected all the couples in a survey of the affected areas and then forwarded the list to the Punjab chapter of their organisation. Punjab Nazim Nasir Muhammad Khan then finalised the arrangements and organised the events, he said.
Of the 40 couples who got married in Layyah, 30 were Shia Muslims and the rest from other sects. All 80 couples who got married in Kot Addu were Muslims.
The organisation gave Rs70,000 to each couple.
Besides a large number of residents, politicians and social workers attended the ceremony.
Jamaate Islami leader Liaqat Baloch was also present at the occasion.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2011.
Two marriage ceremonies of 80 couples in Kot Addu and 40 in Layyah were held on Thursday. Both ceremonies were organised by Imdad Imam Khomeini, an Iran-based non-government organisation.
The couples were from areas affected by last summer’s floods in the southern districts of the province.
Iranian consulate general Muhammad Hussain Bani Asadi was the guest of honour at both events. Addressing the ceremony in Layyah, Asadi said the ceremonies were a testament to the strength of the two countries’ ties. He said Iran would continue to support the Pakistani people in their hour of need.
Munazza and Babar Zeeshan, who got married at the Layyah ceremony, said their marriage was supposed to have been held last year before the flood.
They said their houses were demolished and all belongings lost in the flood so they could not get married. They said they had returned to their villages and were re-constructing their houses but had no money for a wedding.
Nayyar Abbass, a member of the organising team, said he had selected all the couples in a survey of the affected areas and then forwarded the list to the Punjab chapter of their organisation. Punjab Nazim Nasir Muhammad Khan then finalised the arrangements and organised the events, he said.
Of the 40 couples who got married in Layyah, 30 were Shia Muslims and the rest from other sects. All 80 couples who got married in Kot Addu were Muslims.
The organisation gave Rs70,000 to each couple.
Besides a large number of residents, politicians and social workers attended the ceremony.
Jamaate Islami leader Liaqat Baloch was also present at the occasion.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2011.