The eighth edition of the Al-Safwa Mass Wedding Festival was launched today in the capital, Aden. Organized by the Al-Safwa Foundation for Development, the festival is held under the patronage of H.E. Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, Mukhtar Al-Yafei, and the Council of the Office of the General Supervisor of the Islamic Educational and Spiritual Centers. The event brings together 100 grooms and brides.

During the ceremony, Saleh Mahmoud, Undersecretary of the Ministry for the Social Welfare Sector, conveyed Minister Al-Yafei’s greetings and congratulations to the newlyweds and their families. He affirmed the Ministry’s support for social initiatives that contribute to assisting young people, strengthening family stability, and promoting the values of social solidarity and cooperation, particularly amid the difficult economic and living conditions facing the country.

Mahmoud noted that the Ministry views mass weddings as an initiative with significant social and developmental dimensions, given that the family constitutes a fundamental foundation for the stability and cohesion of society. He explained that supporting young people and easing the financial and other burdens associated with establishing families requires coordinated efforts among state institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector, business leaders and philanthropists, and community-based initiatives.

The Undersecretary praised the efforts of the Al-Safwa Foundation for Development and its organizers in sustaining the mass wedding festival and bringing it to its eighth edition, describing this achievement as a model of organized and sustainable community action. He also commended the contributions of supporters and sponsors who have helped make the festival a success and bring joy to the newlyweds and their families, calling for the expansion of similar initiatives to reach a greater number of young people and families.

For his part, Omar Basem, Chairman of the Al-Safwa Foundation for Development, explained that the festival has undergone continuous expansion since its first edition eight years ago, culminating in its eighth edition this year. He reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to continuing its efforts to support young people and promote the values of social solidarity, while expressing his appreciation for the patronage provided by the Minister of Social Affairs and Labour and for the facilitation and support extended to ensure the success of the festival.

The ceremony also featured speeches by Sheikh Kamal Baharmouz, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Dean of the Higher Institute for Guidance and Counseling; Nizar Abu Bakr Al-Mashhour, Chairman of the Council of the Office of the General Supervisor; and Al-Habib Abu Bakr bin Ahmed Al-Haddar, Director General of the Islamic Educational and Spiritual Centers. Their remarks collectively underscored the importance of marriage in building strong families and communities, as well as the need for married life to be founded on affection, compassion, mutual understanding, and a shared sense of responsibility. They also emphasized the importance of continuing community initiatives that support young people.

The ceremony included a video report highlighting the Foundation’s activities and projects, as well as a review of previous editions of the mass wedding festivals. A number of nasheed and poetry performances were also presented, in the presence of representatives of the local authorities, religious and social figures, and representatives of the organizations and entities that supported and contributed to the festival.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Al-Safwa Foundation for Development honored Minister of Social Affairs and Labour Mukhtar Al-Yafei in recognition of his patronage and support for the festival. The newlyweds and those who contributed to the success of the event were also honored.