UAE BARQ برق الإمارات – نبضك
The ‘Dubai Weddings’ initiative continues to expand as a comprehensive and sustainable community model supporting the stability of Emirati families.
Since its launch in early 2024 as a service facilitating wedding celebrations for Emirati citizens, the initiative has evolved into a broad and integrated institutional programme delivered through the efforts of partner entities across Dubai.
Social and developmental indicators achieved through the initiative reflect the direct guidance and constant follow-up of H.H. Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
The Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Programme serves as the overarching framework through which the initiative connects wedding support with pre-marital awareness and training, financial and housing support, and ongoing family counselling schemes.
The initiative translates into reality the strategic vision of making Dubai a family-friendly city, while directly supporting the objectives of the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and strategic priorities of the Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai to support family formation, stability and resilience.
The Programme helps ease the financial burden on young Emiratis preparing for marriage, promotes more balanced and sustainable wedding practices, and encourages marriage at an appropriate age, contributing to social cohesion and optimal population growth in the emirate.
Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director-General of the Community Development Authority, affirmed that the generous support and guidance of H.H. Sheikha Hind have been instrumental in transforming the initiative into a comprehensive and sustainable service that places Emirati families at the heart of sustainable development.
She said, “The success of ‘Dubai Weddings’ reflects the guidance of H.H. Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum and her continued commitment to creating a supportive environment for young Emiratis to build stable and cohesive families. The initiative has evolved beyond facilitating wedding celebrations into an integrated model that brings together the efforts of institutions and entities across Dubai to provide social and educational support before and after marriage, contributing to the long-term stability and wellbeing of Emirati families and advancing the objectives of the Dubai Social Agenda 33.”
The initiative helped forge 1,411 new Emirati families. Families covered by the initiative welcomed 418 newborns. Awareness and guidance programmes conducted as part of the initiative drew 3,519 beneficiaries. A total of 2,898 weddings were held under the initiative.
The ‘Start It Right’ programme helped 2,591 beneficiaries by offering intensive preparatory sessions to guide their path into married life. Courses designed to strengthen financial stability among young families benefited 677 participants. ‘How to Build Your Home’ workshops held as part of the initiative reached 251 beneficiaries, as of the end of March.
The initiative’s innovative approaches and social impact have earned it wide recognition in the form of five local and international awards.
