ARE MASS WEDDINGS LOSING APPEAL?

Once a popular way to ease wedding expenses and strengthen community ties, mass weddings across Oman appear to be witnessing a decline, with organisers and participants pointing to financial challenges, lack of sponsorship and changing social preferences.

While some see waning interest, others argue the tradition still holds strong as families seek cost-effective alternatives.

Mass weddings, which make the dreams of scores of young men possible and unite families in different parts of the country, have long been considered a vital social practice. They help mitigate the heavy costs of weddings and discourage extravagance. Committees across wilayats usually identify financially challenged youth and raise funds through community support. The money often goes towards covering the Mahr — a customary payment given to the bride — which generally ranges between RO 3,000 and RO 4,000.

Recently, a mass wedding was held in Bahla for 60 grooms, while similar initiatives have been observed in other wilayats. The government’s Marriage Support Fund, which provides RO 2,000 to individuals earning less than RO 600, has also served as an incentive for many to marry.

However, some voices indicate that the frequency of such weddings has declined. Saif bin Khalfan al Kindi, media personality and columnist, noted that private sector support, including banks, has dwindled, reducing the scale of these events. “These initiatives usually increase in the years leading up to legislative and municipal elections, while there may also be other financial reasons, such as the high price of gold, forcing some to postpone weddings,” he added.

Other observers cite shifting preferences. Some families now prefer intimate private weddings with only close relatives and friends, while others opt for smaller group ceremonies among siblings or cousins.

Khalid al Khanbashi, a research student, believes financial difficulties are at the heart of the decline: “Over the past five years, fixed employment opportunities have decreased, with many relying only on short-term contracts. The salaries are often insufficient to support marriage plans.”

On the other hand, journalist Abdullah al Kaifi believes mass weddings still hold strong appeal: “I expect there will be a demand, because the cost of mass weddings is shared, resulting in lower expenses for the individual.”

Eng Zakaria bin Khamis al Saadi highlighted that the lack of sponsors to cover wedding gifts is another reason. He also pointed out new cultural trends: “Due to the proliferation of majlises, many pageants are now held after afternoon prayers, limited to coffee and sweets. This new ‘afternoon pageant’ culture has emerged, while overseas marriages also play a role in reducing mass weddings locally.”

Teachers and community members also echo concerns about reduced backing from businessmen and philanthropists. “The noticeable decline is directly linked to a lack of financial support,” says Ahmed Mohammed.

Issa bin Abdullah al Qassabi, a correspondent with the Oman News Agency, underlined that marriage success depends more on mutual respect than on lavish celebrations: “Extravagance only burdens couples and limits the continuation of a successful marriage.”

Nashia al Kharusi, a public sector employee, believes the deeper issue is mindset. “There should be awareness that expensive marriage parties do not ensure success, especially with divorce rates rising. Youth today are still in school or college and are not ready to shoulder full family responsibilities at a young age, unlike in the past.”

Despite differing views, the common thread is clear: while mass weddings continue in some wilayats, financial pressures, cultural shifts and reduced sponsorship appear to be reshaping the tradition, leaving its future at a crossroads.