The mass wedding took place on 18/5 across several major squares in the Iranian capital. Imam Hossein Square, located in the city center, alone saw over 100 couples participate. According to Iranian media, approximately 1,000 couples married on this day.
Participants in the mass wedding had previously registered for the "voluntary sacrifice" (janfada) program. This program commits individuals to readiness for self-sacrifice on the front lines of the conflict, such as forming human shields outside power plants. Iran had previously mobilized thousands of civilians to gather around power plants to guard against potential US bombing.
Iranian officials stated that millions of people, including many high-ranking leaders such as President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have enrolled in the janfada program.
Media images showed brides and grooms arriving at Imam Hossein Square in jeeps mounted with machine guns. A cleric presided over the wedding ceremony on a stage.
The stage was decorated with balloons and a large portrait of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since taking power in March following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei. Crowds of people holding roses watched and offered congratulations.
 |
Brides and grooms in jeeps moving to the square. Photo: AFP |
"The country is in conflict, but young people also have the right to marry," a bride wearing a white Islamic wedding dress said, standing next to her groom.
A groom in a suit, standing beside his bride, expressed their happiness that the ceremony took place on the anniversary of Imam Ali's wedding to Fatima az-Zahra, daughter of the Prophet Mohammed. This historic event occurred around 623 or 624 in Medina. "We are blessed and want to send our best wishes to the people on the streets," he said.
Since the outbreak of the conflict, Iranian officials have organized large-scale pro-government rallies almost daily. These demonstrations aim to show national unity amidst the conflict.
State television broadcast images of the mass wedding to reinforce wartime morale. This follows US President Donald Trump's repeated threats of further military action against Iran amidst a fragile ceasefire.
 |
People holding roses celebrate at the mass wedding. Photo: AFP |
Huyen Le (According to AFP, Reuters)
