In Khorfakkan, Sharjah, the Ministry of Community Development held a virtual mass wedding dubbed "Eastern Coast Wedding."

His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, presided over the wedding. The "Eastern Coast Wedding" was sponsored by Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and held at Khorfakkan Amphitheatre, while taking COVID measures as required by the officials.

Minister of Community Development Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid praised the Ruler of Sharjah's interest in helping young people and caring for families and all members of the community, emphasizing that His Highness' patronage of the "Eastern Coast Wedding" reflects the importance of mass weddings throughout the society.

According to Hessa Buhumaid, mass weddings in the UAE started in 1998, with the first one held in Sharjah under the patronage of the Sharjah Ruler. Since its inception, several people who have benefited from mass weddings have surpassed 10,000 in the UAE. The "Eastern Coast Wedding 2021" is the UAE's second virtual mass wedding, following the ministry's first virtual mass wedding, "Emirati Joy," held in October 2020 for 100 grooms in five ritual sites across the country at the same time.

Buhumaid congratulated the Emirati youth who took part in the "Eastern Coast Mass Wedding," noting that the Ministry is eager to carry out the wise leadership's directives to encourage Emirati men and women to marry and develop prosperous and interconnected families.

Such activities help to unite joyous expressions and encourage the Ministry of Community Development's efforts to support family and community members' happiness and well-being. These mass weddings serve a significant role in easing the financial pressures of young Emiratis and helping them achieve their goals of forming healthy and unified families.

As part of the ministry's policy to foster family stability the Ministry of Community Development offers opportunities through its website, www.mocd.gov.ae., for those interested in participating in mass weddings during the year by committing to strengthening community ties, supporting the ambitions of young Emirati future spouses, and introducing the development indicator of "a cohesive family and a coherent community."