The Al Zayani Charity Mabara held its first mass wedding ceremony on Thursday evening (15 January 2015) in the presence of the Adviser to His Majesty the King for Media Affairs, Nabeel Yaqoob Al Hamer, and under the patronage of the President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalid Al Khalifa, at the Rashid Al Zayani Majlis in the city of Muharraq, with an official attendance that included the governors of Bahrain's governorates, a number of officials, members of parliament and municipal council members, the dignitaries of the city of Muharraq, community leaders and citizens, and with considerable media interest.
In his speech on the occasion, the Chairman of the Board of the Al Zayani Charity Mabara, Mr Khalid bin Rashid Al Zayani, expressed on behalf of his brothers, his children and the members of the Al Zayani family his happiness at this celebration marking the opening of the majlis of the late Rashid bin Abdulrahman Al Zayani in the city of Muharraq, and gave particular thanks to His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalid Al Khalifa for graciously patronising the ceremony.
Khalid Al Zayani spoke about the late Rashid Al Zayani, listing his enlightened and charitable efforts and contributions in the service of his country, Bahrain, in the many posts he held: the Education Council, where he worked on setting the curricula for modern schools in Bahrain; his participation in many governmental and civil councils; his membership of the Constituent Assembly that drafted Bahrain's constitution; his service as a member of the country's first Shura Council; his contribution to founding the Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain and serving as its secretary for several years; and his contribution to founding the Bahrain Club and chairing it for several years. Khalid Al Zayani noted that the late Rashid Al Zayani took part in founding the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait and chaired it for 28 years, as well as his role in founding UBAF Arab International Bank, of which he was elected chairman from 1985 until his death.
He affirmed that "the Rashid Al Zayani Majlis project opened today comes as part of a bequest from the late man, may he rest in peace, to establish a charitable project bearing his memory. My brothers and I honoured that wish and, by the grace of God, we have carried out a number of charitable projects," pointing to the large number of projects completed: mosques, the renovation of houses at risk of collapse in various villages and towns of Bahrain, the creation of educational and recreational facilities, support for non-profit organisations and for charitable societies and foundations, and contributions to the education of a large number of university students in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Mr Khalid bin Rashid Al Zayani announced that the mass wedding would be held annually by Al Zayani Investments, in order to open up opportunities to help young people build happy families, praying that God grant everyone what is good and right and pleasing to Him for this dear Kingdom under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
In a special statement on the occasion, Hamed bin Rashid Al Zayani said: "We are all delighted by this historic occasion and greatly honoured by the presence of His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalid Al Khalifa, President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, among us at this great ceremony, and we are very pleased by his patronage of it. We are also happy to inaugurate today the majlis of our late father Rashid bin Abdulrahman Al Zayani, and to celebrate the marriage of this number of the sons and daughters of Bahrain, and we ask God to grant them success in their lives."
Hamed Al Zayani affirmed that the majlis opened today is ready to play its social role for the people of Muharraq and to offer its services to the citizens of this historic city, adding: "Through the Rashid Al Zayani Charity Mabara we have many plans and charitable projects that we will carry out in support of social and charitable work and everything that benefits citizens."
During the ceremony, 60 young men and women from both communities were honoured and received the congratulations and good wishes of those present. In a speech by a representative of the couples, they thanked His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalid Al Khalifa, President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, for his gracious patronage of the ceremony, and offered their sincere thanks and gratitude to the sons and grandsons of the late Rashid Abdulrahman Al Zayani, valuing all the good efforts made by those who run the charity of the late Rashid bin Abdulrahman Al Zayani to support young people in completing half of their faith.
The representative of the couples said: "The commitment to social solidarity and community cohesion that we, the honoured couples, have experienced is a cornerstone for the advancement of this dear Kingdom and its young people. Young people are the firm backbone of this society, and the flourishing and advancement of this important group will do much to advance Bahrain and place it among the nations."
The majlis whose opening was celebrated is considered the first of its kind in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It comprises two floors of car parking and a function hall for 400 people, along with side majlises and all the facilities needed to hold occasions. The project covers around 3,000 square metres. The majlis is also unique in being the first majlis built as a partnership between government, represented by Muharraq Municipality, and the private sector, represented by Al Zayani Investments and the Rashid Al Zayani Charity Mabara, and the building includes five shops serving the area.
