PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - A total of 15 bridal couples took part in a free mass wedding event to commemorate the 214th Anniversary of Bandung City at the Bandung City Hall, Saturday (21/9/2024).

In his speech, Acting Regional Secretary of Bandung City Dharmawan said that mass marriage is one of the efforts of the Bandung City Government in providing legal certainty in population administration for participants.

"Hopefully this mass marriage activity can provide legal certainty in population administration, especially for people who have been legally married according to religion but do not yet have an official marriage book from the government. This event also aims to help couples who are constrained by costs or time to get married officially," said Dharmawan.

He said that this activity could be a driver for increasing community welfare and contribute to increasing the happiness index of citizens.

With a legally valid marriage, the husband-wife relationship is recognized by both religion and the state, which in turn will provide protection for the rights of women and children.

Not only does it provide clear legal status for couples, the government also makes this event part of an effort to ensure orderly administration in the population and civil registration program.

By officially registering the marriage, the husband and wife will have a valid marriage certificate, which is important in government administration.

"Congratulations on your new life to the participants of the mass wedding. May you become a family that is sakinah, mawadah, warahmah," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of the Bandung City Social Service, Soni Bachtiar, said that the mass wedding was attended by 15 couples from nine sub-districts.

Regol District had the largest number of participants, followed by Ujung Berung, while the other seven districts each sent one pair.

Soni said that this mass marriage is one of the strategies to overcome poverty in the city of Bandung.

"By reducing the burden of residents' expenses through activities such as mass weddings, we hope to increase the happiness and welfare of the people of Bandung City," he said.

This mass wedding also received support from various parties, including the Bandung City Ministry of Religion which presented 15 sub-district KUA, as well as collaboration with BJB KCP Taman Sari, DPW West Java, Aluks Multi Kreasindo, Aksen Decoration, West Java MUA Community, Indonesian Photography Association, and others.

The bride and groom received the best service in the form of decoration, make-up, wedding attire, complete dowry, catering, and traditional ceremonies. Not only that, they were also given basic food packages, transportation money, and hotel vouchers, making this wedding moment even more special and memorable.

One of the couples who participated in the mass wedding was Anisa (27) and Bagja Maulana (30), residents of Regol District. According to her, they felt helped by the mass wedding held by the Bandung City Government. They had planned to get married this year.

"Alhamdulillah, I feel helped by this mass wedding. We have been dating for a year and are planning to get married," said Anisa.

He hopes that after this marriage he can build a family that is peaceful, loving and compassionate.

"I also hope that the city of Bandung, which has entered its 214th year, can be more peaceful, safe and orderly, and its people more prosperous," he said.

For information, in the marriage ceremony, the Acting Regional Secretary of Bandung City, Dharmawan became a witness to the marriage of one of the brides, namely the bride from Regol Euis Rohidah and acted as a witness for the groom Waldi Sabirin, namely the Head of the Bandung City Ministry of Religion Office, Abdur Rohim.

In addition, representatives of the Forkopimda, the Head of the Bandung City Social Service, and a number of Sub-district Heads also acted as witnesses for the bride and groom.

This mass wedding event ended with a sense of emotion and happiness, both from the bride and groom, families, and the community who attended to witness this sacred procession. (Bandung City Communication and Information Service/Revo)