"This event fosters community unity," said Sheikh Ghanim al-Khafaji, chief of the al-Khafaj tribe. "With the growing number of young people getting married and the growth in the area's population, we are conducting these mass marriages to alleviate the financial burden on the less fortunate and low-income individuals."
Sheikh al-Khafaji noted that the practice has now spread beyond Arguba, into Mosul. "It's not just us; even the tribes in southern Mosul are adopting this practice," he said.
Ibrahim Atiya, 21, is the youngest groom taking part in the ceremony.
"I am so happy and my feelings are indescribable. I'm so happy, and I wish everyone the best and hope everyone's wishes come true," Atiya said.
Mass weddings in the village of Arguba are a tradition that dates back three decades ago. This year, two brothers got married on the same day, an event they say they had long planned for.
"This is the tradition of life. As brothers, we share each other’s happiness," says Mustafa al-Khafaji.
"We were students, and when we graduated we decided to get married together," says Ahmad Khafaji, Mustfa's brother.
The village of Arguba, located on the Tigris River, south of Mosul, consists of over 500 households.
This tradition, which originated in 1993, takes place every year in April and October, among other things, also in order to reduce the number of marriage ceremonies.
