News In English: ’100 orphans tie the knot at Riyadh ceremony’

A NEW LIFE: Riyadh Gov. Prince Khaled bin Bandar and his deputy Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz join the wedding festivities at the Holiday Inn (Kasr) Hotel in Riyadh on Thursday. (AN photo by Khaled Al-Khamis)

Hundred orphans were given in marriage at a glittering wedding ceremony held at the Holiday Inn (Kasr) Hotel in Riyadh on Thursday.

The 100 young men were brought up by the Ensan Charitable Society for Orphan’s Care, headquartered in Riyadh.

The wedding ceremony was held under the aegis of Riyadh Gov. Prince Khaled bin Bandar. His deputy, Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, was also present at the wedding ceremony.

The young couples were given gifts, purses and a three-night stay at a hotel or resort belonging to the Al-Hokair Group.

According to an official from Ensan, the Society has 41,000 orphans in 13 centers including five in the capital and others in various parts of the Kingdom.

“We hope to set up two more branches in Shagra and Rumah to serve the people in that part of the Kingdom,” he said.

The branches include hostels in the eastern, western, northern, southern and in the central provinces in places such as Rawdah, Al-Kharj, Dawadmi, Al-Majma, Al-Zulfi and Wadi Dawasir.

A 10-minute documentary was screened to depict the progressive steps of the society which is dedicated to serving the orphans in the Kingdom.

The society also conducted a marriage counseling program for the benefit of the young couples. During the program, they were told about the values of marriage and the regulations laid down in Islam for a successful alliance.

Um Abdullah, mother of a bridegroom, said that to see her fatherless son becoming a groom and getting married in style was the happiest day of her life. She thanked the society, the governor and the deputy governor for their attendance.

Hamad Mard Al-Dosary said that he started thinking of his marriage three years ago but felt it was a distant dream. “I was thinking more of the financial implications of wedlock, employment, wealth and wedding arrangements,” he said, adding that it was a day of rejoicing and happiness now that he is entering a new life with a sound partner.

Fahd Al-Qabbani said he was interested in integrating into the main stream of society by marrying and leading a family life like others.

“Ensan gave me the opportunity of not only getting married to a suitable partner but also finding the means for me to lead a happy wedded life,” he said.

Thanks: ArabNews