TAXILA: As many as 12 couples belonging to an underprivileged class of society tied the knot at a mass marriage ceremony organised by Minhaj Welfare Foundation at a hotel on Tuesday. Scholars of Minhajul Ulema Council solemnised the nikah of the Muslim couples whereas the marriage rites of one Christian couple were performed according to their religious teachings. The marriage processions were given a red carpet welcome upon their arrival in the venue, which was decorated. Besides office-bearers of the foundation, administration officials, workers from political and welfare associations, relatives of the couples and members of civil society participated in the ceremony despite road blockades and non-availability of transport. This was the 13th consecutive mass marriage ceremony organised by the foundation. So far, 120 couples have tied the knot under the arrangements made by the organisation. On this occasion, every bride was given household stuff worth over Rs500,000, which consisted of various items such as a copy of the Holy Quran, prayer mat, cupboard, double-sized bed, chairs, table, briefcase, sewing machine, washing machine, etc. Speakers on the occasion said many parents were unable to arrange marriages of their sons and daughters due to financial and other constraints. They said the organisation was helping such parents get their sons and daughters married. MWF Rawalpindi district General Secretary Saifur Rehman said that price hike and rising inflation had made it impossible for the common man to live a respectable life leave alone marrying off their offspring especially daughters as it involved arrangement of huge dowry. He said with the financial assistance of philanthropists, so far marriage ceremonies of over 120 couples belonging to Taxila and Wah had been arranged. He said 50 guests of each couple including their relatives and friends were served lunch. The chief guest of the ceremony, President of Minhajul Quran Rawalpindi Division retired Col Mohammad Khalid Javaid underlined the need for promoting philanthropy in the society. He said at a time when challenges of poverty, inequality, unemployment and backwardness were grim realities it was the individual and collective responsibility of those who can afford to mitigate sufferings of the poor. He said MWF’s flagship initiatives such as ‘Aagosh’, and educational projects had become success stories. He said that around 1100 couples all over Pakistan so far had tied the knot at mass marriages.