UAE Hosts Mass Wedding for Palestinians in Gaza

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has once again underscored its humanitarian solidarity by organising a mass wedding for 54 couples in the Gaza Strip — a symbolic gesture of hope and new beginnings amid conflict.

The event, held under the banner of Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 and timed to coincide with the UAE’s 54th Eid Al Etihad (National Day) celebrations, carried the poignant slogan “Thawb Al‑Farah” (The Garment of Joy). 

The ceremony took place in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, in a neighbourhood battered by war, and was attended by more than 21,000 people from across the enclave. Families gathered amid the rubble — but the mood was one of unity and hope, as traditional dabke dances, folk songs, and musical performances celebrated Palestinian heritage and reaffirmed cultural identity. 

Ali Al Shihi, head of the Emirati mission in Gaza, described the mass wedding as a tangible demonstration of the UAE’s humanitarian philosophy — putting human dignity and happiness at the forefront. He said the ceremony embodied a message that “joy is stronger than rubble,” urging optimism even amid adversity. 

More than a celebration, the mass wedding is a clear signal of resilience: a reaffirmation that even in Gaza’s worst conditions, life goes on and communities can still nurture hope, love, and the chance to rebuild normalcy. For the young couples and their families, it marks not just a wedding day — but a commitment to start anew.

This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here