Alsharq I stil remember some of the ordinary events I attended because I enjoyed participating in them despite their simplicity. Those who make a superficial evaluation may not discover their distinguishing features that generate happiness and cheerfulness. Recently I attended a marriage ceremony that was held in the courtyard of the house. It was a simple function but it gave me unprecedented merriment and enjoyment. The occasion was made colorful by its organizers through the happiness of their hearts and their smiling faces. They wholeheartedly welcomed the invitees and took care of them with their sincere love. The event was successful and memorable although it lacked pomp and pageantry. It did not require huge expenditures or burdening preparations. Everybody was happy as the host as well as the invitees exchanged their love and affection in an atmosphere of natural celebration. Let's review our festivities and happy occasions. Many of them have overtaken the Thousand and One Nights, supplying huge amounts of various foodstuffs on tables. Leftovers from our weddings are enough to meet the hunger of the whole world. Why do we set up gardens with different flowers during these festivities? Is it to give the feeling that we are in a different world? What is the purpose of supplying different types of cakes and sweets in varying colors as people will not be able to eat them and will be satiated just by seeing them? I visited a colleague at a hospital after she delivered a baby to congratulate her and get reassured about her health. I was amazed to see the colorful arrangements at the hospital room and was doubtful whether I reached a wrong place or a bridal room. The room's door was decorated with colorful balloons and there was a board made of hundreds of fresh roses with the newborn baby's name written in the middle and a welcome statement expressing joy over the baby's arrival. Luxurious sofas were arranged in the room to receive guests while girls wearing uniform distributed gahwa (Arabic coffee) and juices as well as costly chocolates and different types of cookies arranged in attractive trays. Arrangements were made to receive guests until midnight. The woman who delivered the baby appeared like a bride. Fashion experts were called in to prepare her like a bride for the marvelous ceremony. The whole room was decorated with rose flowers with its branches hanging from the roof as if you are in an Amazon forest. I was wondering what would be the condition of the mother and the newborn staying in this forest-like atmosphere. If that baby had understood what is happening around her and her mother she would have objected to such an unwanted ceremony incurring huge expenditures. A friend of mine told me that she was invited to attend an epic wedding. I don't have words to explain that pompous marriage with various types of food and drinks served. The wedding hall was arranged like a European village and various types of dishes were brought from different parts of the world. Moreover, the names of the bride and groom were engraved on their chairs, the plates, cups, pillows, chocolates and on the uniform of attendants. There was an orchestra led by famous singers and musicians to entertain the participants in addition to folklore troupes and dancers. The host arranged everything to make his guests happy. The event was replete with extravagance. The bride's mother was receiving guests sitting on a wheelchair because she had painful swollen legs as a result of continuous traveling to invite guests. Extravagance has become the hallmark of most of happy occasions, especially weddings. As a result they lack real happiness. Hosts will be tired arranging the huge events and they would not be able to hide their difficulties and worries or show happiness on their faces using cosmetics. Let's ask ourselves: Do we really need all these things?
