Making Waves: A Muslim Wedding Beneath the Red Sea

Clock Icon Oct 24, 2024
The Red Sea is emerging as a destination for diverse activities, balancing natural beauty with cultural relevance.

The Red Sea is emerging as a destination for diverse activities, balancing natural beauty with cultural relevance. (Source: Shutterstock)

Wherever you are in the world, an underwater wedding ceremony would be unconventional. But a Muslim wedding beneath the Red Sea in Jeddah was always going to hit the headlines. Yes, it’s a fun story, but it also reveals and symbolises the deep cultural shifts Saudi Arabia is experiencing.

In a sense, this wedding is a cipher for the push and pull between tradition and modernity in Saudi. It obviously appeals to a younger generation who value individuality and adventure and embrace creativity and exploration. But it also reveals a challenge to established customs. 


So while this underwater wedding is a completely different - and personalised - experience to the traditional, grand celebrations, such unconventional choices may still encounter resistance from conservative segments of Saudi.

All of which reflects the ongoing struggle to find balance in such a rapidly evolving society. Of course, there are various reasons couples might opt for an unconventional wedding style—cost savings, excitement, and personal preference. Yet in the past, resistance from family, lack of facilities, and governmental obstacles would have made this nearly impossible. But the fact they can now choose an underwater wedding at all is remarkable in itself. 

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