The Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF), in cooperation with Al Rayyan Channel, launched the “First Year of Marriage” programme, providing pre-marriage counselling to those going to get married and enhance the stability of family life.

The program consists of 13 episodes, one episode is broadcast every Wednesday at 9pm on Al Rayyan TV, and is presented by Dr. Khaled Al Naama.

The episodes cover several topics related to married life. The first episode discussed “The Decision to Marry” with the participation of a group of psychological and legal experts and educational consultants, including Dr. Abdulrahman Al Harmi, Rashid Al-Fadhli, an educational consultant, Sheikh Hamoud Al-Anzi, a consultant at the Family Reconciliation Office, and Dr. Hamda Al-Mohannadi.

The programme includes a section seeking public opinions on important issues such as the high cost of dowries, the legal view, living with parents, and marital problems.

The programme comes within the framework of the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen family cohesion and reduce divorce cases, which reports indicate increase in the first year.

It also aims to spread awareness of the importance of establishing marital relationships based on affection and mercy, while providing counselling to new couples through various means, including the media and workshops.