29^th June, 2014 dawned to mark my 29^th Wedding Anniversary in Room 306, Crowne Plaza, Kuwait and the day started with the news coupled with my and Shireen photo flashed by Al Nahar, Arabic daily newspaper about my 29^th Wedding Anniversary in its issue of the day and a few friends heartily greeted me reading the news.

I accompanied by Shireen entered the hotel at 1400 hours where both Marketing and Public Relations Manager + Duty Manager were waiting for us to accord hearty welcome to the hotel. They had brought press photographers from three Arabic dailies who photographed us with them in the hotel lobby before going up stairs to room 306. Crowne Plaza had placed 2 roll up stands with tables and chairs, as always, in the lobby captioned under ‘Meet Our Distinguished Guests on Their 29^th Wedding Anniversary in Room 306 on Sunday 29^th June, 2014’ with message pad facilitating people to read highlights of my matrimonial story and pen their feelings, if they wish. Surprisingly 2 women had already written their remarks, 1 at each stand.

At 306, we found that the plaque reading, ‘Room 306 has been occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Iqbal Zaidi on 29^th June of every year since 1986 on their Wedding Anniversary’ erected outside the room wall where our photographs taken in 306 on 25^th, 26^th, 27^th and 28^th wedding anniversaries had been pasted on the border of the plaque and it was fully covered up. I and Shireen jointly pulled the string to uncover the plaque and the photographers took our photos. Then we entered the room itself which was very artistically adorned with a big room banner stuck in the center of the wall with our photographs, date of our marriage, our matrimonial emails etc. At one corner it showed Matrimonial Circle mentioning that we married on 29^th June, 1985 and stayed in Room 306, Holiday Inn, Islamabad and today on 29^th June, 2014 we are celebrating our 29^th Wedding Anniversary in Room 306, Crowne Plaza, Kuwait. Our many photographs were taken in the room.

His Excellency Sheikh Fawaz Al Khalid Al Hamad Al Sabah, Governor Ahmadi promised to come to my room to congratulate me on my day but he could not come as today being 1^st day of Holy Ramazan, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Amir of Kuwait annually receives all the well wishers in Bayan Palace on the day and Governor being cousin of Amir had to be with Amir. However, he had sent me wrist watch with his best wishes as my wedding gift. Ambassador H. E. Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al Sabah, Director, Office of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister sent flowers with message reading, ‘Dear Mr. Iqbal Zaidi, happy anniversary. May God bless you both and I wish you long years of love and happiness. Thank you for being an example of love and loyalty in our beloved country Kuwait.’ Amb HE Dr Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah’ is son of His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah, Former Prime Minister. H. E. Bishal Bhattari, CDA (DHM), Nepal was the 1st guest visitor to greet us in the room who handed us flowers and perfume. He very heartily wished all the best of luck in our future matrimonial life. He, while in the lobby, was amazed to read such an unprecedented matrimonial promise which he very frankly admitted was not only unique but very much lesson learning as well for all those who marry. He was very extremely impressed to see the watch gifted by Governor Ahmadi and simply could not help saying that H.E. Sheikh Fawaz Al Sabah is not only the governor but from ruling Al Sabah family as well and hence such  a gift from a true Kuwaiti VIP to a Pakistani speaks itself the affinity between him and me.  Flowers from Amb H. E. Dr Ahmad Nasser Al Sabah, another from ruling Al Sabah family, caught his attention and he was a bit speechless for a moment to hear that Dr had sent such flowers last year as well. He left us saying that it is a life remembering event for him to be with us on the day and promised that each year he will be greet us alike. Dr. Usameh F Jamali (Ph D), Advisor to Chairman, Australian College of Kuwait came and very openly congratulated us on the day. He being 78 years old (touch wood) very frankly admitted that he has never ever heard of any such like matrimonial promise. He addressed his message to both of us and concluded by saying, ‘My sincerest best wishes to your family and you for good health and happiness forever Inshaallah (God willing)’ H. E. Dr. Mohamed Gudeta, Ambassador of Ethiopia entered the hotel with flowers being carried by flower arranger. He very heartily congratulated us on our wedding anniversary. He very categorically mentioned that due to 1^st of Ramazan he prayed the whole night and wished to take some rest but due to his long personal relationship with me he felt it as an obligation to visit 306 to share our happiness. He was very much out spoken admiring our exceptional matrimonial life and wished we celebrate countless wedding anniversaries. He took so many photographs with his personal mobile for his own permanent record and remembrance. H. E. Angel Losada, Ambassador of Spain came next to the room and gifted us exceptionally famous Spanish novel ‘DON QUIJOTE DE LA MANCHA’.  He is leaving Kuwait on 21^st instant upon completion of his diplomatic assignment and hence H.E. is awfully busy meeting top Kuwaiti officials, friends and attending farewell breakfasts, lunches and dinners etc but ever since he had promised to grace me on the day he squeezed his time to be with us. He in his message written on the pad prayed for our very long happy matrimonial life. H. E. Nasser Bareh Al Enezi, Kuwait Ambassador to Indonesia now on holidays known to me since long came straight from mosque after offering special Ramazan prayers and therefore he was alone and promised that if possible he will come tomorrow again but with his wife and children. He was not reluctant at all to say that our marriage is not only a model but mind boggling example for all married couples in general and those who snap matrimonial ties in particular. He very bluntly asked when both of us will visit him again in Jakarta? Ever since he is posted in Jakarta, each year he is giving us Kuwait-Jakarta-Kuwait ticket to attend Kuwait National and Liberation Days (25^th and 26^th February) celebrations and we stay with him on the occasion. He wrote his message in official language of Kuwait which is Arabic using the expression of ‘Your Loving Brother’ which is full of best wishes and adjectives. H.E. Tairou Aboudau Kabassai, Ambassador of Benin this year too like last year handed us cash. He very vividly remembered my day and sometime in May at one of the diplomatic functions he asked me which day is our wedding anniversary in June because he would love to bless us this year too in 306 Crowne Plaza on my 29^th Wedding Anniversary. He told Shireen in particular that this is really very amazing story and his wife was very much pleased to know about it. He also worded his message in official language of Ethiopia which is French where he very immensely praised our matrimonial life and prayed for our lifelong happiness and prosperity. Mrs. Iman Y Ereiqat, Chief of Mission (Diplomat), International Organization for Migration (IOM) brought scarf as wedding gift. She was so truly amazed and pleased to read my story in the lobby that she photographed the roll up stand with her mobile for her own remembrance. She exchanged her thoughts with Shireen and very heartily congratulated both of us and prayed for our everlasting happiness in our future life. H.E. Prof Dr ENKHBAT Sodnom, Ambassador of Mongolia was very much pleased and surprised to know about my lifelong matrimonial promise and had promised to bless both of us in 306 but due to his pressing official obligations he could not come. However, he sent a basket of chocolates, cookies and juices to my room in the hotel with his best wishes and prayers on the day. H. E. Konal K Blackett, Ambassador of Liberia was also overjoyed with my unique matrimonial story and days ago he has sent me email confirming that he and his wife will be with us on our day but my sheer bad luck he had to attend some unforeseen tasks so he did not come. A lady from his embassy brought flowers, chocolates and his best compliments on our annual day. Mr. Hassan Zarnegar Abarqui, DHM, Embassy of Iran was too enthusiastic to meet both of us in the room on our annual day but very reluctantly phoned me regretting that he cannot come. He sent flowers, sweets and dry fruit with his heartfelt greetings and most sincere prayers. Brig Gen Md. Nasimul Gani, afwc, psc, Defence Attache (Kuwait + Bahrain + Qatar), Embassy of Bangladesh was so jubilant and mesmerized with my 29 years wedding life that he wanted to come with his wife and children to 306 but due to other pressing obligations he simply could not make it. He sent me gift bag containing sweets, candies, handicrafts and perfume. H. E. MAMADOU BELLO, Former Ambassador of Central African Republic to Kuwait sent me congratulations message on my 29^th Wedding Anniversary on mobile from Sudan and honest to Allah I had never ever even thought in wilderness that he would reach me alike on my annual day. I replied his message saying that you have won me through such like gesture. He after getting my message felt at ease knowing that I have not changed my mobile number so he called and spoke to me at length asking about me, Shireen and Areej. He said that being in Sudan I cannot be with me on the day but still he remembered my wedding anniversary date. He prayed from his core of heart about my life longevity and happiness. He indicated that if he comes to Kuwait in October he will bring my wedding gift.

H. E. Mohamed Adam Mahat, Ambassador of Kenya + H. E. Yahia Abdelgalil Mahmood, Ambassador of Sudan do not attend wedding anniversaries so they regretted not to bless me in 306 but prayed for our long life and good health.

These ambassadors and diplomats who cannot bless me in person as they will be out of Kuwait on 29^th June have therefore sent their warmest greetings and prayers through emails. H. E. Robert Tyson, Ambassador of Australia + H. E. NAKHLE Christian, Ambassador of France + H. E. Fabrizio Nicoletti, Ambassador of Italy + H. E. Nicolass Beets, Ambassador of Netherlands + H. E. Senator Haruna Garba, Ambassador of Nigeria + Mr. Tom Shepherd, Head Political Section, UK Embassy + Mr. Christopher G Ganger, Consular Officer, USA Embassy.

H. E. Kujtim Morina, Ambassador of Albania + H. E. Lamberto V Monsanto, Ambassador of Philippines greeted me through message on my mobile as they will not be in Kuwait on my day.

H. E. Abdulkareem Mahmoud Suleiman, Ambassador of Egypt + H. E. Tariq Hussain Abdul Al Jaleel, Advisor to His Highness Amir of Kuwait + H. E. Saad Abdullah Al Asousi, Kuwait Ambassador to Malaysia came  here on short holidays + H. E. Bui Quoc Trung, Ambassador of Vietnam + H. E. Mark Grey Mavougwe, Ambassador of Zimbabwe + Mrs. Jacky Perkins, DHM, UK Embassy + Brig Gen Hatem Ashour, Defense Attaché Egypt Embassy + Mr. Chris Pickens, 1^st Secretary, USA Embassy regretted to greet in person on the day as they will be out of Kuwait but showered their verbal blessings for my welfare and happiness.

H. E. Dr. Assadullah Hanif, Ambassador of Afghanistan + H. E. Maj Gen Mohd Ashab Uddin, ndc, psc, Ambassador of Bangladesh (but I have his email greetings and prayers) + H. E. Manyepdza Patrick Lesetdi, Ambassador of Botswana + H. E. Issane Daniel Marh Zhoock, Ambassador of Central African Republic + H. E. Nelson Valencia Garcia, Ambassador of Honduras + H. E. Toshohiro Tsujihara, Ambassador of Japan + H. E. Ibrahim Bakar Kamara, Ambassador of Sierra Leone + H. E. Shin Boonam, Ambassador of South Korea + H. E. Aye Khaing, Ambassador of Myanmar + H. E. Hamid Said Al Ibrahim, Ambassador of Oman + H. E. Vladimir Kohut, Ambassador of Serbia + H. E. Mlondi S Dlamini, Ambassador of Swaziland + H. E. Dr. Ivan Lancaric, Ambassador of Slovakia + H. E. Murat Tamer, Ambassador of Turkey + H. E. Aboubakar KOTE, Charge d’ Affaires of Burkino Faso + Mr. Khaled Falah Al Mutairi, Deputy Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kuwait + Staff Col Behzad Bahrami Pour, Military Attache, Iran + Mr. Karma Phuntsho, Counsellor Bhutan + Mr. Alison Edson Liwanada, DHM, Malawai + Mr. ILiya A BULGAKOV, DHM Russia had promised to grace me on the day but did not come.

My lifelong matrimonial promise is unprecedented in human history and none did or do alike including following namely:-

 my Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain or