Free weddings provided for the capital's poor

JAKARTA (JP): Clad in casual clothes and witnessed by waiting couples, bridegroom Warso (left) smiles while his bride Warsih kisses his hand while receiving his wedding gift, the Koran.

The two were among 32 couples who exchanged their wedding vows at the Islamic marital affairs office on Jl. Pegangsaan Timur in Central Jakarta on Saturday.

They were among some 600 poor couples throughout the city -- mostly beggars, prostitutes, scavengers and construction workers -- who took part in the free weddings organized by the Students Social Network of the University of Indonesia, the Jakarta chapter of the Nahdlatul Ulama Islamic organization, Gema Pemuda Madani and several other student organizations, in cooperation with local administrations.

Most of the couples, between the ages of 20 and 45, already live together and have children outside of wedlock.

Unlike "conventional" wedding ceremonies, which are normally solemn events, the weddings on Saturday were full of laughter and took place in very relaxed atmosphere.

The free weddings began on Wednesday and are expected to be completed by Sunday morning. A wedding reception for all of the couples is scheduled to take place at Senayan on Sunday evening, with President Abdurrahman Wahid expected to attend. (msa)