Pakistani couple keeps tradition blazing
KUWAIT CITY, July 4: Former Pakistani diplomat Iqbal Hadi Zaidi and his wife Shireen Iqbal Zaidi celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary in Kuwait on Friday, June 29, 2018.
This time he stayed in the same room 306 of the same hotel Holiday Inn, Farwania, Kuwait on the same date June 29 for 33rd year in continuity which itself is so unique that no King, Queen, President or even the richest person on the face of earth namely Jeff Bezos worth is $112 billion (Forbes 2018)
Iqbal a Pakistani in 1985 was Admin Manager, US Co EPIC Instruments Inc, Kuwait when he wedded Miss Suhail Fatima on June 29 staying in 306 Holiday Inn promising her that from now each year we will jointly or individually stay in 306 Holiday Inn wherever we are on June 29.
Iqbal married completely unknown on the condition that she will be with him till death. Both blindly accepted each other. She did not know if Iqbal is deaf and dumb while he did not know if Suhail has both legs or not. Iqbal renamed Suhail as Shireen (sweet in Urdu and Persian). She proposed Pak Rs 500 (roughly KD 1.400) as dowry which was objected by her family but she did not budge and instead posed a question. ‘What do I need-money or husband?’ Iqbal signed wedding document with Cross pen engraved with Iqbal-Shireen June 29 1985 while she used the pen engraved with ShireenIqbal June 29 1985. They just used these pens to sign the wedding document and not a word was written before or after.
29th June 1986 was their 1st wedding anniversary when they hosted reception at Hotel Marriot which GM offered decorated room free as a compliment but Iqbal declined and stayed in 306 Holiday Inn to up keep his lifelong promise.
On 6th Wedding Anniversary June 29, 1991 Iqbal was Business and Manpower Advisor, Pakistan Embassy, Kuwait and Shireen with 2 years and 9 months daughter Areej (now Dr) were in Islamabad. He due to his diplomatic obligations remained in Kuwait staying in 306 Holiday Inn on 29th June while Shireen and Areej stayed in 306 Holiday Inn, Islamabad to upkeep Iqbal’s promise.
Iqbal and Shireen were very warmly welcomed by Manager Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza along with other officers in VIP lounge when they arrived to celebrate their 33rd Wedding Anniversary. Iqbal and Shireen moved to Crowne Plaza Auditorium to receive their guests. Hotel Manager Hasan delivered welcome speech assuring that the hotel will always extend warm greeting to our so distinguished guests till dooms day. He asked Iqbal to address who said that each year on anniversary he feels as if is his wedding day and not wedding anniversary. He thanked the hotel from core of his heart for taking so much interest. Then Hasan presented a commemorative plaque to Iqbal to mark the day. Ceremonial cake was jointly cut by Iqbal and Shireen.
Over the years local newspapers and television networks have widely covered the event. Today also Kuwait TV English interviewed Iqbal and Shireen at Crown Plaza. See their video in Google under Unprecedented Wedding Anniversary and Youtube.com/ watch?v=OAebJDaLUrE.
Ambassadors of Burkino Faso, Cuba, Guyana with wife, Ghana, South Korea with wife and Counselors of Indonesia, South Africa and Sudan greeted in person. Ambassadors of Albania, Argentine, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jamaica, Laos, Magnolia, Morocco, Romania, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Serbia, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, South Sudan, Thailand, Togo, Uzbekistan and Vietnam warmly greeted as they were either out or busy.
HE Nasser Bareh Al Enezi, Kuwait Ambassador to Venezuela known to me over 16 years never ever forgot me. He gifted handsome cash before return to Caracas.
Saudi Lady Prof Dr booked flight for self, sister and brother coming in morning to greet me and return in evening. Unluckily her uncle died on Wed so she cancelled but sent toffees promising to visit me later this year and present a divine gift.
Brig ® Nasim, former Military Attaché, Bangladesh Embassy, Kuwait now back in Dhaka greeted me renewing our brotherly relations.
HE Dr Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al Sabah, Assistant Foreign Minister (s/o HH Sheikh Nasser Al Sabah, former PM) sends me flowers for 9 years now. Today HE Dr Ahmad sent two BAUME and NERCIER watches for Iqbal and Shireen along with flowers, toffees and wish card.