re: #193 Pie-onist Overlord

Snopes:

“…Although the photographs and video footage did originate with the July 2009 mass wedding event, and they do show pre-pubescent girls dressed in clothing resembling bridal garb holding hands with older men, the young girls in these pictures were not being married off to adult males; they were relatives of the brides and grooms (typically nieces and cousins ranging in age from three to eight years old) who were merely ancillary participants in the ceremony, performing a function similar to that of flower girls in western-style weddings. Even though news accounts document that they were undeniably present, the older women who did get married that day weren’t apparent in the recorded images because, unlike the style of weddings most westerners are accustomed to, brides don’t take center stage at this type of event:

The 450 brides shared none of the glamour, taking seats among the audience of around 1,000 party guests: most couples had already taken part in religious ceremonies elsewhere, with more marriages planned for the next few days.

The brides and grooms were separated during the wedding party since observant Muslims are not supposed to mix in public.

snopes.com