Mombasa: 150 cohabiting couples and their families braved the blazing sun at the Serani Sports Grounds in Mombasa to solemnise their marriages in a colourful Muslim mass wedding. The brides dressed in black buibui, and the bridegrooms in white kanzus sat pensively in tents waiting for the nikah, the officiation of marriage.
According to Kenya News Agency, the ground was filled with ululation and celebration after Sheikh Omar Buya finalised the marriage ceremony on behalf of Chief Kadhi, who couldn’t attend due to work exigencies. Before the mass wedding organised by Mama Beauty Foundation, the couples underwent premarital counselling to have solid marriages. Premarital counselling has been cited as critical, as most of the divorce cases are a result of inadequate preparation for married life. The couples were given valuable lessons on communication, conflict resolution mechanisms, and patience.
Speaking at the event, Likoni MP Mishi Mboko urged brides’ families to shun retrogressive cultural practices that impede marriage and to reduce dowry demands because of the tough economic times. According to Islamic teachings, she said, a dowry is supposed to be determined by the bride, but ironically nowadays some families are the ones dictating the bride price. She emphasized that whenever dowry is expensive, it exacerbates fornications and premarital pregnancies and questioned the notion that youth without a source of income shouldn’t marry.
The legislator further advised men not to rush into polygamy until they satisfy their first families so that polygamy doesn’t result in broken families that end up affecting children the most. Lubna Nassir, Founder of Mama Beauty Foundation, said the overarching objective of the mass wedding is to reduce fornication in society, as most of the couples were cohabiting because of a lack of marriage knowledge. She noted that most youth opt for come-we-stay because of exorbitant bride prices, thus contributing to fornication.
Nassir mentioned that fornication irks God, and the foundation’s initiative is to educate couples on the importance of a wedding, usually held one month before the commencement of the holy month of Ramadhan. She urged leaders and other organisations to make the event quarterly instead of annually. Shufaa Foundation Founder Sheikh Omar Buya, who conducted the marriages, stated that the aim is to formalise the come-we-stay marriages in accordance with the teachings of Islam. He explained that the intention is to bring cohabiting couples who had lived and given birth to marriage to get the blessings of the Almighty God, allowing them to fast during the holy month as legal couples.
Abubakar Dzama, a bridegroom from Kilifi, expressed gratitude to the organisers for facilitating his marriage, saying he has been waiting for this significant day. He mentioned that his income was a setback, but he is thankful for the opportunity and the organisers. Nahida Patrick shared that the mass wedding has eased their financial burden now that they will not have to budget for a wedding.