Free Weddings For Poor Youth in Malindi

An international Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) on Saturday sponsored weddings for poor Muslim youth in Malindi.

The Sharjah Charity international, Kenya Humanitarian and Charity organization operating in the county covered dowry costs, gave the couples capital and organized a mass wedding for 20 youths under their programme.

The ceremony was held at the Tahdeeb Muslim Academy in Malindi town.

Chairman of Malindi Tawfiq Muslim Youth, Ahmed Aboud stated that many youth were bachelors because they did not have money for a wedding and that he selected 20 out of 36 youth who had applied for the initiative.

[caption caption="Muslim Clerics conduct NIkah to one of the 20 bridegroom during the mass wedding sponsored by an international NGO in Malindi at Tahdeeb Muslim Academy on December 9"][/caption]

 

“Many youths were willing to marry, some had stayed for over three years without meeting the costs of the wedding because of money matters. The donors facilitated the wedding expenses including meals for over 900 people,' he conveyed.

Speaking during the event, he explained that under the programme, the couples were given beds, household utensils and capital to start a business.

Additionally, each bride was given a tailoring machine while the bridegrooms were given motorbikes or other equipment relating to their careers.

Mr Aboud added that the couples were taken through intensive counseling by Islamic religious leaders and asked the newlyweds to focus on their families so as to avoid falling into bad habits and being radicalized.

The couples who benefitted in the initiative were between the ages of 19 and 30 years.

Suleiman Thoya who was one of the beneficiaries was happy when he got to marry Margaret Tatu Solomon.

“I am happy today to marry the love of my life, My plans were to marry her in a wedding but due to financial challenges, it was difficult.

Many youths like to marry but due to financial challenges, they end up remaining bachelors," Mr Thoya stated.

[caption caption="File image of men and boys celebrating Lamu's Maulidi Festival"][/caption]