Move to limit marriage costs

Abu Dhabi - The United Arab Emirates yesterday adopted a law banning unusually high wedding expenses, which officials have blamed…

Abu Dhabi - The United Arab Emirates yesterday adopted a law banning unusually high wedding expenses, which officials have blamed for the large number of nationals marrying foreign women. The UAE President, Sheikh Zaid bin Sultan al-Nahayan, issued a decree approving the law, which set a ceiling of 20,000 dirhams ($5,450) on mahr, the money paid by a bridegroom to his future wife.

The law also decreed that wedding celebrations should not be more than a day long, during which not more than nine camels could be sacrificed.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter