Despite this great interest in studying

Saudi Students House in in USA , Saudi students around

Pittsburgh hosting a Wedding that nation are taking risks in
Event to share a cultural practice returning back to Saudi Arabia
and talk about visa problems during holidays. due to elongated
visa renewal processes.
Approximately, 13 members of
On the 21st of Decemebr, 2007 The the Pittsburgh Saudi Student
Saudi Students House in Pittsburgh House who were attending local
hosted a wedding reception
schools last year as full time
according to Saudi Customs
MARRIAGES IN SAUDI coinciding with the celebrations of
students went to Saudi Arabia
ARABIA during summer time but still have
End of pilgrimage festival which is the
pending visa applications for
second of the two major Muslim
many months.
holidays in a year
The objective of the event was to
continue our efforts in sharing our culture Some of those students had only one
with the Pittsburgh community hoping to or two semesters to complete their
foster better ties and relations with people degree requirements but now they
around the world. Saudi Cultural Attaché are still wondering if they can return
Dr Mohammad Aleasa attendded the to complete their study or should
event from Washington DC together with
they seek to transfer their
a delegation from the Royal Embassy of
government scholarships to other
Saudi Arabia.
countries.

*Background on the wedding:

In summer of 2005, King Abdullah This concern is what lead Mrs Alaa
signed an educational agreement with Aqeel to decide to come to USA on
President Bush which resulted in a with few of her family members and
program that intends to provide 25000 decide to get married withher fiancé
With the compliment of scholarships from Saudi government in Mr Omar Bafakeeh over here in
Saudi Students House in the next five years for Saudi students Pittsburgh. Had she not done that,
Pittsburgh. PA. interested in studying selected technical then they both would have ended up
& fields in USA. Since then, the number of waiting for 4-5 years before Mr.
Saudi students attending US schools has Omar could have completed his PhD
Saudi Students Club in significantly increased.
Portland. Oregon and returned back to Saudi.
 party place. that the couple have started taking care of each
Weddings ceremonies in Saudi other and looking after each other.
Arabia Maher:
Henna night:
may be different depending on the location During the writing of the marriage contract,
of the bride and groom. For example; the groom will present Maher. It is a token or about three days before the wedding date,
families from the South may celebrate their of commitment of the husband's culminating in henna night before the big day,
wedding in a different way than Citizens of responsibility and may be paid in cash, the bride will begin preparing for her wedding.
the West ( Hejaz Area). But the basics are property or movable objects to the bride the bride is joined by her sisters, cousins and
the same. herself. The amount of Maher is not legally female friends for henna night; a night of more
/ specified, however, moderation according to music, dance, food and celebration. the bride
Marriages are arranged between families. A would wear a number of dresses, including a
man would tell his mother, sister or one of the existing social norm is practiced. Maher
is documented in the contract, and it is traditional type of dress known as zaboun and
his relatives what kind of woman he would a yashmak, embroidered with silver thread,
like to marry. For example, he would say he something that the bride owns it what ever
amount it is going to be. over her face. It's a commitment to tradition
wanted a lady with big eyes, long dark hair, that says that a bride should not be seen by
not fat, not thin, but normal body, and Wedding Reception: anyone. The henna night represents the last
someone who follows the rules of the night before her shift into a life full of
This event will take place few months after
religion. Finding just the right woman may responsibilities of a husband and future
take about a month or more, with some the Engagement took place. The bride will
take some time to buy new clothing and the children.
hits and misses in between. Once a perfect
groom will have the time to prepare the Groom & Bride Zafa ( Walk)
potential partner is found, they'll call the
residence.
woman's parents and tell them they want Towards the end of the reception usually past
to engage their son to their daughter. If the Preparations of the wedding ( the same midnight, the zafa of the Groom * Bride will be
woman's parents don't refuse, they'll set a applies to the engagement) include the announced. Women fetch their abayas and
date for the man to come to their house following: headscarves, wrapping them around them
with his parents. A groom and his family getting ready for the zafa.
Wedding Ballroom : The reception ballroom
will propose to a bride’s family, the groom
is 2 ballrooms one for ladies, and one for The groom is dressed in traditional Arab male
might be from the same family or another
men. A designer is hired to set up the dress white thoob ( long ); the bride in radiant
family. The family of the bride will collect
place. pure white wedding gown.
some information about the groom though
family and friends to make sure, he is Wedding Banquet: Guests at both ballrooms Both slowly made their way to the wedding
suitable for the bride. The bride will be free will be served with Arabic coffee, tea, throne ( stage) while traditional music is on.
to make her decision of accepting the chocolate, dates, and beverage. At the Once they arrive many pictures will be taking.
proposal. end of the reception a buffet will be Then the pair share sipping juice from a huge,
served that has different dishes from all round, long-stemmed glass, while the guests
Once the bride accepts the proposal, both
over the world, beside the traditional clapped and ululated. At some weddings,
bride and groom will meet in the presence
dishes like Kebsa ( rice with meat). guests would be entertained with a videotaped
of their families to see each other. This is
part of the Islamic guidance for any couples The Cutting of the Cake 'documentary' of the bridal couple's life, from
getting married. It is to give them a chance when they were children, up to the day of their
When the bride and groom start walking to wedding.
to make their final decision to the
the wedding cake, all the wedding guests
commitment. Happily Ever After:
move out of the way and look in anticipation
Melka ( Engagement) at the bride and groom. Once all of those formalities are over, the
Saudi wedding receptions are conducted Then the groom holds the bride's hand couple will go together to a hotel or their own
the traditional Muslim way, which means carefully and together they hold the knife.
the men and women celebrate separately.