60 special needs couples tie knot

DUBAI — In a mass wedding ceremony for people with special needs, 60 couples were united yesterday. The event ‘Irs Al Amel’ (Wedding of Hope) was held at Maktoum Hall in World Trade Centre here.

By A Staff Reporter

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Published: Tue 29 May 2007, 8:53 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 4:29 AM

Held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the ceremony was attended by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.

Shaikh Mohammed granted each groom Dh70,000.

The second “Irs Al Amel” was jointly organised by Dubai Club for Special Sports and the Sharjah-based Arab Family Organisation.

Yusuf Al Hosani, head of the “Irs Al Amel” organising committee, and Jamal Al Bah, Chairman of the Arab Family Organisation, paid tributes to Shaikh Mohammed.

“We would like to thank Shaikh Mohammed for his generous support which will strengthen the faith of special needs people and enable them to integrate into the society,” stated Al Hosani.

Al Hosani added that the grant would help special needs people to raise families and be productive members of society.

He stressed that UAE Rulers were devoting special attention to ensure that people with special needs were provided basic services in life and enjoyed equal rights in education, jobs and medical services.

This year’s mass wedding was sponsored by 45 firms and received donations from 85 businessmen, said Al Hosani. The gifts included a pearl necklace for each bride, courtesy Iranian Abd-Al Kareem Mahalati.

“The total number of grooms participating in Irs Al Amel is 60. Eight grooms who are not present are representing the UAE in a special sports competition,” pointed out Naji Al Mansoori, who heads the public relations committee at the Dubai Club for Special Sports.

One of the grooms, Ahmed Al Naqbi, said it was a special day for him. “Like anyone who gets married, this is a very happy day for me and my family, something that occurs once in a lifetime,” he said.


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