UAE residents are being urged to take part in a new government survey exploring the benefits of couples tying the knot without splashing the cash on lavish wedding ceremonies.
The Ministry of Community Development is gauging public opinion on the issue after Covid-19 restrictions prompted a rise in virtual weddings and smaller gatherings.
The poll aims to highlight the positive outcomes of intimate weddings and how they can help build a more “cohesive family” and “coherent community”.
The survey - entitled the The Pros of Completing Marriage Without Wedding Ceremonies - is available at this link.
The ministry said it was aiming to encourage grooms and brides-to-be to save money on ceremonies and instead direct their resources into supporting their new family unit.
The results of the study are to be published online.
Wahida Khalil Darwish, director of marriage grants department at the Ministry of Community Development, said officials had closely monitored the successful outcomes of marriages held without public ceremonies from January until June.
“[This is an] opportunity for all future spouses to reduce wedding expenses, rationalise consumption, and thus increase the chances of successful marriages to form a cohesive family and a stable family,” said Ms Darwish.
Lama Younis, founder of Hissah Enrichment Centre for Psychology and Wellbeing, said she always advises family and friends to consider intimate weddings instead of large ceremonies.
“I am an example myself; I got to have an intimate wedding at my own home with my family members in my own relaxed environment without any pressure,” said the 37-year-old Saudi.
“You get to celebrate the biggest day of your life surrounded by people who you love, and who love you.
"So you remember their faces, their conversations, their smiles; unlike a large wedding where you probably won’t be able to spot the faces that you want to see at that moment.”
She said also having a wedding attended only by close family and friends reduced the pressure on couples to put on a show for guests.
The main goal, she said, should not be to make everyone happy, but to make the couple happy, which could be achieved in a small ceremony.
“In general, when the person is psychologically relaxed, this will last longer in their long-term memory; the benefit is very good in terms of the psychology behind it,” she said.
She said smaller weddings could also result in happier marriages because the couple start their lives "relaxed and save on money".
The ministry's 18-question survey asks participants about the impact of marriage without wedding ceremonies due to recent restrictions and the possibility of continuing this approach.
The study also raises questions about the advantages of social changes that occurred during Covid-19, and the benefits of carrying on with them once life if back to normal.
In June, Hessa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, said the increase in virtual weddings prompted by the Covid-19 outbreak could prove beneficial for couples.
“Virtual weddings are carried out with least of cost, but with the same level of joy; and this is a golden opportunity to instill new social principles to save on wedding costs," Ms Buhumaid said.
“After coronavirus and when things are back to normal, we wish for an increase in marriages and joyful occasions, but more importantly to learn to cut costs and not exaggerate the [lavish] things that were one of the reasons many marriages got delayed.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, sent out a letter last month praising couples for cutting down on expenses for their big day.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
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- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
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Bayern Munich 2 Borussia Monchengladbach 1
Bayern: Zirkzee (26'), Goretzka (86')
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Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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MATCH INFO
Borussia Dortmund 0
Bayern Munich 1 (Kimmich 43')
Man of the match: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
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PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
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Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
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Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
MATCH INFO
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UAE v Indonesia, Thursday, 8pm
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How it works
Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.
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What are the main cyber security threats?
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1.5 stars
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Tuesday (UAE kick-off times)
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Wednesday
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Newcastle United v Aston Villa (9pm)
Norwich City v Everton (9pm)
Wolves v Bournemouth (9pm)
Liverpool v Crystal Palace (11.15pm)
Thursday
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May 15 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at
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party
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yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
