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Unprecedented 30th Wedding Anniversary
in Human History
Iqbal Hadi Zaidi, a Pakistani former diplomat right
from his childhood had thought to be a completely different and distinguished
person enjoying exclusivity and in some ways he has succeeded (a) like his
lifelong matrimonial promise which none on the face of earth can boast about
and (b) he has some other features also like his round introductory card and
his personal monogram etc.
In 1985, I worked as
Manager Administration, EPIC Instruments Inc (US Co), Kuwait when I decided to
marry in Islamabad, Pakistan a completely unknown compatriot miss whose family
too was unknown to me what to talk of my would-be-wife. One of my friends had
sent me some details about the family and hinted that he will be happy if I
marry in that family. I wrote back to my friend saying that I want a solemn
promise from the girl that she must commit to be with me till death
irrespective of my circumstances and she wrote her first letter saying that she
promises to be my lifelong partner. She neither sent her photo nor wrote her
name but gave her house telephone number. I wrote her back confirming that I
have accepted her as my lifelong partner. I called her mother and asked for her
name and mother very reluctantly gave me her name and then he spoke to his
would-be-wife repeating lifelong promise accepting her as my wife.
I booked Room 306,
Holiday Inn, Islamabad, Pakistan since my marriage was scheduled for 30th
June, 1985 so that my wedding date equates with my wedding room. However, as
bad luck had it, EPIC Chairman Mr. Edward K Mills II asked me to advance
wedding by 2 days so that I return 2 days earlier. I, therefore, called Holiday
Inn, Islamabad to book 286 for 28th or alternatively 296 for 29th
instead but unfortunately neither 286 nor 296 was available and at that point
of time Holiday Inn was the only 5 star hotels in Islamabad and I never
ever wanted to opt for 4 star hotels. I married Miss Suhail Fatima whom I
renamed as Shireen on 29th June, 1985 and stayed in 306, Holiday Inn,
Islamabad. In wedding document dowry amount is just Pak Rs500/=KD1.480 or
US$4.900 to which her mother, sister & others very seriously objected
and suggested that figure must be at least in 5 digits if not 6 but she posed a
very blunt question to all of them asking, ‘What do I need, my husband or
money?’ I was extremely happy which simply cannot be described in words
to have found such a wife and I reassured all of her family members and friends
that come what may we both will be knotted till death. I very solemnly promised
on my honor to Shireen that till our death each year on 29th June we will
stay together or individually in 306 Holiday Inn wherever we are. I had
bought 2 Cross Pens and on one pen Iqbal-Shireen and on other Shireen-Iqbal was
engraved signifying that the first pen will be used by me while the other will
be used by Shireen to sign our wedding document and I have taken an oath that
not even a letter what to talk of a word will be written by us with the pens
either before or after signing the wedding document. There were 4 other pens
for maulvi and witnesses.
On my 1st
Wedding Anniversary 29th June, 1986 I wished to host
reception and deputed Shireen to go to all the hotels and select where to host
reception and she opted for Marriot Hotel whose GM very tastefully decorated a
room and offered as a compliment but I very politely regretted because on each
wedding anniversary we are to stay in 306 Holiday Inn and not any other hotel.
We both checked in with at Holiday Inn and later on drove off to Marriot for
the reception and then returned to sleep in our room 306.
In 1991 it
was our 6th Wedding Anniversary when I was Business and Manpower Advisor,
Pakistan Embassy, Kuwait and did not call my family from Islamabad because here
oil wells were on fire and my daughter Areej was less than 3 years old
therefore I wanted to fly to Islamabad to celebrate our 6th Wedding
Anniversary on 29th June with my family but due to my pressing
diplomatic obligations, I could not go to Pakistan. I stayed here alone
in Room 306 Holiday Inn whereas on the same date Shireen and daughter
Areej stayed in 306, Holiday Inn, Islamabad to upkeep my unique lifelong
matrimonial promise.
None on the face of
earth can boast of including following namely:-
<i> his Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain or
<ii> the mightiest American President Hussain Barrak Obama or
<iii> the longest serving HRH Queen
Elizabeth of UK or
<iv> the longest serving King Bhumibol Adulyadej
(King Rama IX) of Thailand or
<v> the longest serving President Paul Biya of Cameroon or
<vi> even the richest Mr. Carlos Slin Helu of
Mexico owning $ 74 billion. can boast of what I really do own to be honest though there
is no equation between me and them as they are high in sky but I am even
underground.
Google/Youtube, 'unprecedented wedding anniversary' + ‘Iqbal
Hadi Zaidi and Shireen celebrate their 28th Wedding
Anniversary on 28. 6. 2013’ to view their video which ought to be in Guinness
World Records Book
Monday 29th June, 2015 was my 30th Wedding Anniversary and, as always, I booked 306 Crowne
Plaza (formerly Holiday Inn), Kuwait and it is sheer bad luck that for the very
1st time in Kuwait history on Friday 26th a Saudi bomber
wearing explosive belt exploded himself in Iman Sadiq Mosque (Shia) when the
worshippers were in Sajda-touching their foreheads on the praying mat, whereby
26 worshippers were killed and over 200 were injured. Next day Saturday was
declared as mourning day.
I
accompanied with Shireen checked in around 3pm not to celebrate our 30th
Wedding Anniversary but to mark the day as per my life long life matrimonial
promise. 2 press photographers were in hotel lobby waiting for us. In respect
of all those who were killed, I had to cancel all celebrations. Each time hotel
greeted us with flowers and welcome drink but this time due to suicidal attack
all festivities were cancelled. Each time 2 roll up stands telling our
matrimonial story were erected in hotel lobby for people to read and write
their comments / feelings on the specially printed message pad but this time it
was missing.
At 2055 hours, I left Shireen alone in 306 and drove to Grand Mosque, stood in long lines, offered
my heartfelt condolences to the mourners of Iman Sadiq Mosque headed by H H Ghanem Marzooq, Speaker National
Assembly, ministers, MPs and relatives of the Martyrs, shook hand with around 600 men, returned to 306 at 0055 hours, paid the bill
for one day, and checked out though entitled to stay till Jun 30 afternoon as
always had been the case since my 1st Wedding Anniversary 1986.
I am highly grateful to the following 7 Ambassadors who despite their many pressing commitments
including Ramazan calls have been extra ordinarily too kind to bless me in 306
with their very valuable gifts which is my the most valuable long life treasure
to be honest.
(1) HE
Konah K Blackett, Ambassador of Liberia
(2)
HE Prof Nguyen Hong Thao, Ambassador of
Vietnam
(3)
HE Mohammed Gudeta, Ambassador of Ethiopia
(4)
HE Aye Khaing, Ambassador of Mynamar
(5)
HE Maj Gen Mohammad Ashab Uddin, Ambassador
of Bangladesh
(6)
HE Tairou Aboudou Kabassi, Ambassdor of
Benin
(7)
HE Aboubakar Kote, Ambassador of Burkino
Faso
HE Nicolaas Beets,
Ambassador of Netherlands greeted me but
regretted to bless due to some earlier commitments.
HE Dr Ivan Lancaric, Ambassador of Slovakia greeted me from overseas.
As
many as 29 other Ambassadors (names withheld)
had confirmed to bless but regretfully they neither came nor regretted which is
not expected from ambassadors.
HE Prof Dr
Yousuf Hamad Hassan Ibrahim, Advisor to Amir sent greetings email on 24th.
HE Sheikh Mubarak Duaij Al Ibrahim Al Sabah, Chairman &
Managing Director, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on 22nd June presented me an
expensive TISSOT watch.
************************************
Iqbal
Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait
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