Weddings in the Arab Gulf States: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015

[Imanmajed]

I have a question, when sheikhs marry a cousin, is that considered an arranged marriage?

Good morning! Marry a cousin doesn´t mean that this is an arranged marriage automatically. Its also possible to fall in love with someone from own family.

I guess it would be, Otherwise they could pick a non family member to fall-in love with and marry, but that doesn't seem to be the norm within UAE royals?At least I've never read of any emirati royals marrying outside of their family but I could be wrong.

The late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan married six times. Five marriages were with women from non-ruling families. The president of UAE, HH Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, is married with a woman outside of his family and from a non-ruling family as well. Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum married some women who are from non-ruling families nor from UAE originally. Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum al Maktoum is also married with a woman from a non-ruling UAE family long time. Few months before Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed al Maktoum married an Emirati woman who is from a non-ruling family also. There are some Shaikhs (currently and in the past) who are married outside of a ruling family.

BTW: We have ruling families only. They are not royals because UAE do not run as a kingdom.

 

[dazzling]

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa married Sheikha Shamsa bint Sultan bin Hamdan on Tuesday 20 May 2014

http://imageupper.com/i/?S0300010020011N14007488571416353
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0300010020021N14007488571416353
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0300010020031N14007488571416353
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0300010020041N14007488571416353
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0300010020051N14007488571416353
http://imageupper.com/i/?S0300010020061N14007488571416353
WAM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdU_ZYwt7Ik

Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa al Nahyan married Shaikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Hamdan al Nahyan. She is a second cousin of him.

The bride's name is Sheikha Shamsa, they are also first cousins
Sheikh Zayeds father and Sheikha Shamsa's mother are brothers and sisters.

 

[SElizabeth]

Why no pictures of the bride? Is it the custom in this country not to show pictures of the bride and is it also allowed that first cousins marry each other?

 

[Imanmajed]

The bride's name is Sheikha Shamsa, they are also first cousins . Sheikh Zayeds father and Sheikha Shamsa's mother are brothers and sisters.

Thanks for the correction. I did not know that Shaikh Sultan bin Khalifa is the brother of the mother of the bride also, because he is a cousin of the father of the bride as well.

 

[Imanmajed]

Why no pictures of the bride? Is it the custom in this country not to show pictures of the bride and ....

Bride and groom celebrate the event of their wedding seperated. Its a custom in UAE not to show pics of bride (and of her wedding reception) publicly.

is it also allowed that first cousins marry each other?

Yes, it is allowed. Before marriage genetic testing be made in UAE. However, the result of the test is not binding for the couple wishing to marry.

 

[SElizabeth]

Thank you for the history lesson.....I love learning and that was interesting. At anytime during the marriage vows do they get together to say something to each other? Do they get a chance to see each other before the wedding night? And do you know if this was an arranged marriage? I have read that is still in practice today in many other parts of the world. I would love to know all about the custom of marriage in the Arab world. Being a history buff I love learning different things about the countries of the world.

 

[Imanmajed]

Thank you for the history lesson... At anytime during the marriage vows do they get together to say something to each other? Do they get a chance to see each other before the wedding night? And do you know if this was an arranged marriage? I have read that is still in practice today in many other parts of the world. I would love to know all about the custom of marriage in the Arab world.

You are welcome! There are some ways to step into a marriage. An arranged marriage is only one of this possibilities and still common in UAE. How it is handled in detail can be very different in the UAE and depends on both families who want to marry up their children together. Nowadays, the couples will be given the chance to speak and see each other in the presence of the families before a wedding takes place. Usually both bride and groom have a say in deciding on a marriage. We have no special ceremonies for marriage vows. After both families agreed to let their children tie the knot the marriage contract will be signed in the presence of an Imam. This is called melcha in UAE. The groom and two male witnesses signing the marriage contract in front of the Imam and then the contract will be given to the bride to sign it also. The weeding receptions (seperate wedding parties for bride and groom) will be held later. It can be days, weeks or month later.

I can not say if Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan`s marriage was an arranged marriage but it is very likely.

 

[Imanmajed]

I love learning and that was interesting...... I would love to know all about the custom of marriage in the Arab world. Being a history buff I love learning different things about the countries of the world.

Feel free to ask at any time! If you are interested in such traditional or cultural practices in the Gulf states you can find a lot of informations here on TRF: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forum...tes-social-and-cultural-traditions-32797.html

As a special gift for you (and other who are interested) a video about UAE weddings: Dubai TV Show in English about Arabian Emirati Culture: Weddings - YouTube

 

[ajmanprincess999]

Thanks Majed for sharing, a few years ago I visited UAE very briefly for a family vacation and was surprised of how the locals are very polite and respectful. The men aren't too sociable with women including foreigners-well in my case American, I guess is part of the culture and tradition. I was very surprised to see Dubai as a city like NYC so developed, however the emirate close by like Ajman seemed under developed, it is amazing how Sheikh Mohammed made of Dubai such a great city, can't wait to return again one day, I know not during summer is too hot. Btw, since I visited ur country once, now I'm fascinated with the history, culture and traditions of UAE, so I love ur posts Majed! ?

 

[SElizabeth]

Feel free to ask at any time! If you are interested in such traditional or cultural practices in the Gulf states you can find a lot of informations here on TRF: http://www.theroyalforums.com/forum...tes-social-and-cultural-traditions-32797.html

As a special gift for you (and other who are interested) a video about UAE weddings: Dubai TV Show in English about Arabian Emirati Culture: Weddings - YouTube

Thank you very much for the information, I see that I now have homework as I call it, reading 51 pages and it will take time yet it will be fun . I viewed around 12 minutes of the film and found it interesting, being a person who enjoys needlework, I really want to go to that shop and learn what those men were doing in making that wedding gown. I love this type of work, I sew and do lots of needlework, I feel most comfortable in a room of fabric and threads, needles and patterns then any other place. Some about a room with those things that are home to me.........
I want you to know that I really appreciate the time you took to send me this.
Sherry Elizabeth

 

[NazNazeem]

Have we ever seen a photo of Shaikha Shamsa bint Sultan bin Hamdan al Nahyan? Also how old is she?

 

[NazNazeem]

You are welcome! We have different marriage tradition. Bride and groom celebrate the event of their wedding seperated. There will be no pics of groom and bride together shown for public.

has anyone ever seen Sheikha Shamsa bint Sultan bin Hamdan? how old is she?

 

[Imanmajed]

.....I want you to know that I really appreciate the time you took to send me this.Sherry Elizabeth

You are welcome.

 

[Imanmajed]

....and was surprised of how the locals are very polite and respectful. The men aren't too sociable with women including foreigners-well in my case American, I guess is part of the culture and tradition.

Yes, it is a part of local culture.

 

[Imanmajed]

has anyone ever seen Sheikha Shamsa bint Sultan bin Hamdan? how old is she?

She is in her twenties as far as I know.

 

[Imanmajed]

Shaikh Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan today married the the daughter of Shaikh Saif bin Mohamed Al Nahyan. The marriage was held at Al Mushrip Palace as a part of a mass wedding including 91 Emirati bridegrooms from different Emirates.

WAM ***pictures

 

[dazzling]

Shaikh Hazza bin Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan today married the the daughter of Shaikh Saif bin Mohamed Al Nahyan. The marriage was held Al Mushrip Palace as a part of a mass wedding including 91 Emirati bridegrooms from different Emirates.

WAM ***pictures

More pictures from alittihad.ae

Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image
Image Upper.com - Free Image Hosting - View Image