How love can cross continents
WE WENT all the way to Zanzibar for a wedding, followed by a holiday (our first ‘proper’ break for two years) and I confess that a part of my mind is still there, under the coconut palms beside the Indian Ocean.
But not just because of the coral sands, the sunshine and the lovely hotels . . . No, what remains with me is the sheer beauty of the wedding we went to celebrate.
My ex-husband’s sister’s elder daughter (keeping up?) was brought up in California, but now lives and works in Tanzania, for an American charity called Jhpiego. This is a longestablished international, non-profit health organisation which has worked to prevent the needless deaths of women and their families — operating all over Africa and on the Indian subcontinent too.
Niece Alice (these special relationships do not end with divorce) is a wonderful, kind, life-enhancing person whom I ’ ve ( obviously) known all her life, so it was irresistible to see her marry her partner of four years, Abdulrahman Majid.
There was something so magical about the open-air civil ceremony, under a palm arch, sweetly solemn and joyful, as the rays of the setting sun silvered the ocean and children ( i ncluding t he happy couple’s baby son and my grand- daughter Chloe) squeaked and birds called and monkeys rustled in the undergrowth nearby.
Guests (many working in public health, like Alice) had travelled from other parts of Africa, from Britain, from the U.S. and even Australia to witness the all-American girl marrying her Tanzanian husband — he all in white, she in a flounced green frock, the colour of spring, growth, renewal and rebirth.
Afterwards there was a dinner under the stars, and entertainment, and wild dancing — one of the waiters at Fumba Beach Lodge ( where we all stayed) joining in with Michael Jackson routines.
The hotel’s beautiful receptionist was bopping too, alongside guests of all ages and different races.
Later there was a bonfire on the beach . . . and I looked up at the stars that twinkled at the collective goodness of that gathering and reflected how love can triumph over religious and cultural difference. Which is how the world should be.
Bel answers readers’ questions on emotional and relationship problems each week. Write to Bel Mooney, Scottish Daily Mail, 20 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 6DB, or email bel. mooney@dailymail.co.uk. A pseudonym will be used if you wish. Bel reads all letters but regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence.