PUTTALAM : With the support of a UAE philanthropist , a mass wedding ceremony comprising 20 deserving couples was solemnised on Sunday, August 24 in Puttalam .
The event,“Mawaddatha wa Rahmah” (Affection and Mercy), was held on an initiative of Rishad Bathiudeen, Member of Parliament and Leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC).
In addition to covering of all wedding expenses, each couple was presented with a wedding gift of 300,000 Sri Lankan Rupees.
The event was organized by the Organisation for habilitation and research development ( OHRD) in memory of the late founding father of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The ceremony was on an initiative made by Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen and was sponsored by Sheikh Muhammad Fathah Ali Abdullah Al Khajah.
Retired Supreme Court Judge Salim Marsoof presided over the event.
The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Sri Lanka, Khalid Nasser Al Ameri, attended as the chief guest, while Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen was the guest of honor.
Other special guests who attended the event included Police Service Commission member A.M. Illiyas, businessmen D.L.M. Nawas, Jawfer Abdul Saththar, Muhammad Iqbal Saththar, Ifthikar Sadiq, Ameen Baila, Parliamentarian Muthu Vappa, Mayor of Puttalam Municipal Council Rinshad Ahmed, and Dr. Marina Thaha.
The couples also received gifts from businessman of the Colombo Memon Association, D.L.M. Nawas. Rishad Bathiudeen’s wife,was among the other dignitaries.
The ceremony was attended by over 20 Islamic scholars, the marriage registrar, and hundreds of family members and friends. Dr. Ash-Sheikh M.L.M. Mubarak Madani delivered a special religious discourse for the couples, and Alhafiz Riyas led special prayers to bless the couples . A celebratory wedding lunch was provided for all guests.
The event’s organizing secretary was Saheed M. Rismy, Past national president of the All Ceylon YMMA Conference
.
.
