Dubai Customs and GDRFA celebrate 83 bridegrooms at “UAE Shayaheen” celebration

In the presence of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Customs and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA) celebrated on Sunday evening, 21st September, 2014, a joint mass wedding for 83 employees from both departments.

Dubai Customs hosted the mass wedding for the 3rd successive year, in pursuance with the UAE’s policy to bolster national young men and women.

The ceremony, held at the Cultural & Scientific Association in Al Mamzar, was attended by H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation, H.E. the Director-General of GDRFA-Dubai, Major-General Mohammed Al Marri, and H.E. Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director of Dubai Customs.

Sultan bin Sulayem congratulated the newlyweds and wished them a happy married life. “The wedding is in line with the nation’s policy to assist young UAE nationals in all areas of life,” he said.

Bin Sulayem underlined that the mass wedding for DC and GDRFA staff, themed “UAE Shayaheen”, follows the steps of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and conforms with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in regards to cutting unnecessary marriage expenses and curbing extravagancies and excessive wedding costs.

His Excellency Ahmed Mahboob, expressed his happiness with this social event, which brings together Dubai Customs and the GDRFA employees’ to celebrate with the bridegrooms on their special day. He further stated that  this endeavour is a manifestation of the deeply-rooted values of brotherhood amongst UAE nationals. Those same values that were seeded by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE.

He also noted that “UAE Shayaheen” mass weeding is one of DC’s corporate social responsibility initiatives  which the organization always seeks to promote.

Mr. Khalil Saqer, Director of Corporate Communication Department at Dubai Customs and Head of the Mass  Wedding Committee, said:  “We have launched the mass wedding  initiative in 2012 targeting Dubai Customs employees, and for this year we have joined hands with the GDRFA, which reflects the spirit of government partnership.”

He also added:  “A special committee was formed to set a bilateral event plan, including selection rules, conditions, privileges and incentives. In addition, we at DC have worked closely with the Successful Marriage program in collaboration with Al Nahda Women’s Association, seeking to provide the utmost support for the newlyweds to lead stable and tranquil lives.”

Bridegrooms Hail the Initiative

Bridegrooms expressed their gratitude to Dubai Customs and GDRFA-Dubai for sponsoring the ceremony and sharing their joy at this special day. They acclaimed the keenness of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates, to strengthen family bonds for the overall advancement of the UAE community.