The family of Palestinian girl Safa’ Abu Raed Mahagneh have thrown her a wedding party for her birthday – despite there being no groom.
Safa’, who has Down’s Syndrome, was thrilled at the special wedding ceremony in Umm al-Fahm, in north Israel. The family pulled out all the stops for an elite wedding ceremony, inviting relatives, sending invitation cards, and tailoring a wedding dress that their daughter had chosen herself.
The community of Umm el Fahm were impressed with the wedding and the way the family valued their daughter’s happiness. Local newspaper al Watan reported the family said Safa’ came first, and that they didn’t care about society’s expectations. Photographs and videos from the event showed Safa' and event guests dancing and laughing.
Down’s Syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes a range of learning difficulties. In a recent high-profile case a Palestinian man with the disorder was shot dead by Israeli troops.
