Afghan couples marry in mass wedding to promote Islamic culture

The 15th of Shaban, a month in the Islamic calendar, marks the birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi (May God hasten his reappearance), the last Shias' Imam. It is one of the most celebrated occasions in Afghanistan and the rest of the Islamic world. It is an occasion when most marriages take place. In one of the festivities, more than 30 couples tied the knot in a mass wedding in Kabul.

The organizers of the ceremony and participants say the initiative was aimed at promoting the Islamic culture and spread the message of Mahdiism.

Cutting back on wedding expenses for young couples is said to be another main reason for the collective wedding. Young Afghans with a low income find it difficult to cover the back-breaking wedding expenses.

Marriage is a costly affair in Afghanistan which is currently facing an economic downturn. This mass wedding was attended by hundreds of guests and funded by a charity group.

Here, love is in the air and people’s joy is multiplied. Participants are celebrating both the birth anniversary of their last Imam and the marriage of their loved ones.

ME