"It only took 48 hours from my first meeting with her father to propose to her until we completed the legal marriage ceremonies, thus announcing our marriage," journalist Ali Farsab tells Al Arabiya.net about his marriage in Port Sudan in eastern Sudan. He noted that his mother was surprised when he informed her of his intention to marry after two days, without having seen the bride or met her family. Nevertheless, things went smoothly without obstacles. Farsab said to Al Arabiya.net: "What I witnessed in terms of suffering after more than a year of war pushed me to cancel the idea of a traditional wedding. There was no henna for the bride or a procession for the groom. We agreed to marry without celebratory displays."
He added, "Despite the war, relatives and friends celebrated us and offered their congratulations. We were keen to fill our hearts with joy, because our country cannot be broken by hardships regardless of the circumstances."
#### Marriage Wave
Reliable sources within the Sudanese judiciary revealed to Al Arabiya.net an unprecedented rise in marriage rates across the country since the outbreak of war, based on statistics from the Sharia courts responsible for issuing marriage certificates and delivering them to marriage officiants. These sources reported that Port Sudan, which has become the temporary capital, has seen an average of no less than 3,000 marriages since the war started in mid-April of last year.
In a survey conducted by Al Arabiya.net with several marriage officiants in different states, all confirmed a significant increase in marriage rates. One officiant indicated that he personally officiated 400 marriages in Port Sudan in just one month.
The officiants interviewed by Al Arabiya.net attributed this increase to several reasons, primarily the reduction of marriage costs. Additionally, the youth, who have been suffering from the exorbitant requirements set by families for marriage in Sudan, saw the war as an opportunity to escape those conditions and complete the marriage proceedings at lower costs.
#### A New Reality
During times of war, several reasons drive young people to marry. Dr. Asmaa Jumaa, a sociologist in Sudan, told Al Arabiya.net that these reasons vary based on individual, cultural, and social circumstances, explaining that war creates a new reality that alters the dreams and thoughts of young people, especially with their enthusiasm, boldness, and independence.
Among the main reasons for marriage during wartime is that marriage provides mutual support and protection from the dangers arising from conflicts. It also represents an opportunity for collaboration and mutual help in facing daily difficulties. Furthermore, marriage gives young people hope and determination to build a new life and achieve their dreams despite the challenges. In the same vein, some youths seek to establish a new family and may find in wartime conditions an opportunity to achieve this goal, particularly amidst the economic hardships faced by families.
However, these marriages confront serious challenges. The transient needs and emotions resulting from war conditions may lead to the breakdown of relationships once circumstances change or the war ends. Dr. Asmaa points out that some youths may view marriage as a means to temporarily fulfill their desires, exposing marital relationships to long-term risks.
#### A Call to Families
Shafi'i Sheikh Idris, a Sudanese musician and event organizer in Egypt, commented, "In reality, the increase has not been significant among Sudanese living in Egypt, but we can say that the war did not prevent people from continuing their lives, including holding weddings." In Egypt, many Sudanese families have turned towards simplicity and saving, which has allowed them to complete marriage ceremonies at lower costs.
Shafi'i added to Al Arabiya.net: "We must praise the role of the Sudanese embassy in Cairo for facilitating procedures, as it has designated a place for weddings at the Sudan House in the Sayeda Zainab area of Cairo. The procedures are now conducted at the Sudan House, where an officiant from the consular section follows up on the details, simplifying what was previously complex procedures at the crowded embassy." He calls on Sudanese families both inside and outside the country to make it easier for their children to marry and complete half of their religion.
