Saudi Gazette report

HAIL — Nasser Sari Al-Qufaiee has solemnized more than 7,000 marriages in his 20-year career as a marriage officiant. He has very interesting stories to share.

“I have officiated the marriages of a mother and her daughter on the same day with the woman’s son being the guardian,” he told Al-Watan Arabic daily.

Recounting some of the memorable experiences in his career, Al-Qufaiee added that he received a camel as a gift from one of the couples and was once called to solemnize a marriage in the middle of night.

Al-Qufaiee got the job of a marriage officiant by coincidence. The job has changed his life completely as it led him to deal with many people, which enhanced his public relations and communication skills.

“I never thought this job would open new horizons in my life. It increased my knowledge and capability to tackle domestic issues and strengthened my ability to convince parents to marry their daughters to suitable grooms,” he explained.

“The job also enhanced my social status,” Al-Qufaiee told Al-Watan.

He spoke about the changes that have taken place in marriage matters over the last two decades, especially in dowry and other requirements.

“Many things were prohibited in the past due to customs and traditions. In the past families refused to show their girls to men seeking their hands,” he said.

“Now everybody knows the significance of the groom seeing the bride and it has become one of the requirements before the engagement,” he said.

Referring to some strange incidents that have occurred in his life, Al-Qufaiee said: “Some parents authorized me to complete marriage procedures of all their daughters. I have also seen parents of girls demanding huge amounts of money in dowry to agree to their marriage.”

He added: “One family invited me in the middle of the night to solemnize a marriage and I wondered why they called me at this odd hour.”

Speaking about a menacing incident, he said: “While I was going to attend a marriage in a desert region, our vehicle broke down. We were in a dangerous situation as we had no means of contact and transportation. The next morning, a team from the bride’s side came in search of us. We were in a life-threatening situation.”

Al-Qufaiee is concerned about the growing rate of divorces in the country, especially among the newly wed.

“Lack of understanding between the couple is the main reason for divorce. They are also unaware of Islamic teachings and the duties of husband and wife.”

He urged relatives not to interfere in couple’s personal matters to make things worse. “We should also try to reduce expenses and the tough conditions for marriage,” he added.

Speaking about conditions to be fulfilled by a marriage officiant, Al-Qufaiee said: “The applicant should be a trustworthy Saudi national aged not less than 25 years, of good conduct and character, without any crime record and pass the test conducted by the court.”

Officiants who violate marriage conditions would be given a warning in the first instance, their license will be withheld for a year if the offense is repeated for a second time and the license will be revoked if the offense is repeated for a third time, he explained.