A total of 200 citizens of the Gaza Strip got married at a mass wedding organized by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement on Saturday.
The event gave poor newlyweds the chance to save money on their wedding and political organizations, which footed the bill, the chance to show publicly they care about the younger generation.
Only the bridegrooms, dressed in strict black suits, were on the decorated stage before the ceremony, while the brides were hidden from the public's view.
The wedding ceremony, that gathered thousands of visitors, included prayers, political speeches, a motorcycle parade, performances by a men's choir and child couples dancing, as well as fireworks and a lottery for household appliances.
In addition, each groom received $1,000 from the organizers.
"The happiness and joy in Gaza signal the firmness of the Palestinian people on their soil," Islamic Jihad member Khadr Habib said at the ceremony.
GAZA, December 25 (RIA Novosti)
