Wedding preparations are in full swing across parts of Bihar, but many families are facing an unexpected crisis now. With grooms stranded in Gulf countries due to rising tensions in West Asia, several marriages are hanging in the balance of fate and uncertainty.

In Khandail village of Sherghati block in Gaya district, multiple weddings have been scheduled, yet uncertainty looms as many grooms are unable to return. Flights have been cancelled, and airfares have surged amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. One such case is that of Minhaz, whose wedding is scheduled for March 30. All arrangements, from invitations to venues, were complete, but he has not been able to travel back from Kuwait.

As per a report of the Hindustan Times, “I have apologised to the bride's family and the villagers and requested them to fix another date after the Gulf situation eases,” his father, Rafi Khan, said.

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Weddings hit by Gulf crisis

Khandail and nearby villages like Imlithan, Jaipur, Ratanpur and Pandaul have a large number of residents working in Gulf countries. Over 400 young men from these areas are employed abroad, and it is common for them to return home during Eid or Bakrid.

However, the ongoing conflict has disrupted this pattern. Remittances from the Gulf have transformed the village, bringing better infrastructure like banks, ATMs and concrete homes. Now, the same dependence has turned into a source of anxiety as families wait for their sons to return for their weddings, as the HT reported.

Several marriages are planned for March, but families are unsure whether the ceremonies will proceed or need to be postponed.

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Families wait as flights get cancelled

Jalil Shah’s family is facing a similar situation. His son’s wedding is scheduled for March 30 in Erki village in Jehanabad, but he remains stranded in Qatar. His March 26 flight has already been cancelled twice.

“We have completed all our preparations. If my son arrives, the wedding procession will proceed as planned. Nevertheless, we are still hopeful,” Shah said to the HT.

The crisis has also created logistical issues. Due to an LPG cylinder shortage, the family has asked the cook to prepare food on a traditional wood-fired stove. “If necessary, we are even prepared to forgo the hotel venue,” he added.

According to reports, the situation is particularly difficult in Kuwait and Qatar, where people are facing missile threats and spending nights in bunkers or on the streets. Nasir Khan, one of them who recently returned home after spending ₹60,000 on a ticket, described the conditions as tense.

The ongoing conflict began on February 28, when US-Israeli forces carried out strikes on Iranian targets. Iran has since retaliated with missile and drone attacks across the region, affecting normal life and travel in Gulf countries.