In a world where weddings traditionally symbolize personal joy and union, many couples are transforming these ceremonies into powerful statements of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Marching for Gaza on Their Wedding Day
In February 2025, a Muslim couple in Melbourne, Australia, joined a pro-Palestinian demonstration immediately after their wedding ceremony, donning traditional Palestinian keffiyehs. Their participation garnered significant attention online, symbolizing a fusion of personal celebration with political activism.
Similar acts have occurred globally. In Dublin, Ireland, a newlywed couple, accompanied by their families, participated in a pro-Palestinian rally. At Columbia University in the United States, two American couples incorporated Palestinian solidarity into their wedding celebrations. In another instance, a couple in Melbourne walked part of the way to their wedding venue alongside thousands in a pro-Palestinian march. A video circulating online shows a couple in the U.S. attending a protest against Israeli actions on their wedding day, further highlighting this growing trend.
Turkish Couple Donates Wedding Funds to Gaza
Hüseyin and Esma Tokdemir, a newlywed couple from Siirt, Turkey, chose to forgo traditional wedding festivities. Instead, they donated all their wedding expenses, including gold gifts received during their engagement, to Palestinians affected by the conflict in Gaza. Collaborating with the Hope Caravan Foundation, their contribution aimed to provide relief to those enduring hardship in the region. Esma Tokdemir emphasized the importance of collective efforts to alleviate suffering, urging others to consider similar acts of compassion.
Iranian Couple Redirects Wedding Budget to Aid Gaza
In Iran, Milad Amiryousefi and Tahoura Nekouei had planned a traditional wedding, complete with venue and photography arrangements. However, after viewing a 30-second video of a Gazan child struggling to carry a water container, they decided to cancel their plans. Moved by the child’s plight, they allocated their entire wedding budget to support children affected by the conflict in Gaza.
Jordanian Academics Support Gaza Children
Dr. Ramiz Abu Hasira and Dr. Rasha Salameh, both academics from Jordan, chose to dedicate their wedding funds to assist children in the Gaza Strip. Believing it was the least they could do, they aimed to provide support and relief to young victims of the ongoing conflict.
These stories reflect a growing global movement where couples intertwine their personal milestones with acts of resistance and solidarity, turning moments of personal joy into powerful statements against injustice.
From: fars