Its not the first mass wedding in history, but perhaps is right up there among the unusual.

200 Muslim couples said their "I Dos" in a Cairo stadium, with relatives packing the seats to capacity. Organizers say this holy ceremony helped young couples avert sin, while also giving the opportunity to aquire appliances and furniture to begin their lives together.

The brides -- all 200 apparently - were wearing what looked more like traditional western wedding white. Only difference were the veils had a bit of Burka look to them, yet the material seems to be tulle or see-through white.

It was a holy event, and while organizers stated that it was meant to instill religious values in young couples, they clearly believed they were doing their part to stamp out problems associated with celibacy.

If comments reported by AFP in this article are correct, one of the lead organizers stated that "celibacy is a growing time bomb" about to burst. This mass marriage -- and others conducted in the past -- allow lower income couples to have a proper religious union and set up a life with all the natural privileges of husbands and wives.

Contrary to western reports that state less people are formally tying the knot, marriage in that part of the world apparently is valued as, among other things, an alternative to deviant behavior.

Local merchants donated furniture and kitchen appliances.