One only had to see the joy on the faces of the married couples to feel the importance of social solidarity and the impact of actions that bring satisfaction and happiness that are priceless. The collective wedding organised on Saturday at the Oujda cultural complex by the Solidarity for Development Association for the benefit of young people in difficult situations under the slogan "Together to promote the spirit of social solidarity" perpetuates an ancestral tradition that has tended to fade in recent times due to the ostentation that characterises certain weddings. This observation pushes many young people, lacking financial resources, to practically forgo marriage. This does not fail to generate several social scourges.

"The work undertaken by several associations that accompany single mothers and abandoned children is commendable since it contributes to the resolution of several problems," explains Nezha Réda, president of the Solidarity for Development Association and the driving force behind this collective wedding. She specifies that "the work we do tries to solve these cases at the source but above all encourages these young people to assume their responsibilities and to celebrate their weddings with dignity and not feel left behind".

In short, the collective wedding is an act of solidarity that distinguishes Moroccan society and complements another act of solidarity: the "touiza". The latter celebrates the collective work of the land during the sowing and harvesting seasons. The collective wedding, which was organised just after the harvest, punctuated mutual aid in many forms.

This time, it was the pastry chefs, the "neggafates", the folk troupes, the musicians and the caterer who committed themselves for free to share happiness. They were accompanied by other patrons who bought the necessary equipment for furnishing the homes.

"You cannot measure my joy, just as I do not know how to express my gratitude to all those who allowed me to experience a moment that I did not think was achievable," declared a groom who could not contain his joy. He concluded: "My work as a day labourer does not allow me to organise a wedding like everyone else, but since my future wife explained to me that there was an association that planned to organise a collective wedding for the benefit of young people lacking financial resources, I seized the opportunity".

In terms of organisation, this collective wedding lasted from 4 p.m. until late at night and all the rituals that accompany this type of celebration were respected. The brides were entitled to several evening dresses representing the different regions of the Kingdom before putting on the white dress and proceeding to cut the large cake that closes the party. Cars were waiting for them at the exit for the procession tour before returning to their new homes amidst shrill youyous and wishes for happiness.