Marriage is one of the most important days in everybody’s life- male or female and therefore, from time immemorial, knowingly or unknowingly at least some, if not all, brides and bridegrooms, had tried their best to celebrate the day in the most fascinating manner. Of course, one way or the other, some of them did succeed in their venture to get their marriage reckoned and recognized by others.

I’m also a human, exactly like you, he or she for that matter and therefore, quite but naturally, I had felt some extra heat when ultimately at the age of 42, decided to marry in 1985. I was Administration Manager, Epic Instruments. Inc (USA Co), Kuwait when I was marrying a completely unknown compatriot named Miss Suhail Fatima in Islamabad, Pakistan. She was a Teacher, Islamabad Model College & School for Girls, Islamabad.

Truly speaking, long ago I had thought to solemnize my marriage not only a bit differently but very much exclusively too and, touch wood, I did succeed in my mission. I wished to marry on 30.6 (30 June) and hence booked Room 306, Holiday Inn, Islamabad (the then only 5 star in the city) so that the wedding date equates with the hotel room number. One can imagine how much joyous I had been to synchronize the date and the room. However, a fortnight before my departure to Pakistan, EPIC Chairman Mr. Edward K Mills II called me and asked that I must come back two days earlier than the original plan and I had to agree to the instructions of my employer. I phoned Holiday Inn, Islamabad explaining that now I may marry on 28 or 29 and resultantly Room 286 or 296, whatever applicable, may kindly be booked accordingly but, very much regretfully, none of the two rooms could be booked. I explained the newly developed dilemma to Mr. EKM and requested that, under the changed situation, I be allowed to return one day before and not two days and he instantly agreed to my request.^ththth

The greatest compromise of my life is that now I had no option but to stay in Room 306 and marry on 29 June afternoon which, after the lapse of some hours, still had some relationship between the room and the date but 28 June and Room 306 were miles apart in any case. I wedded Miss Suhail on 29 June, 1985 in Islamabad and we both lived in Room 306, Holiday Inn. On the wedding day, I very solemnly promised with Shireen that each year on the wedding date, we will stay, jointly or individually, in Room 306, Holiday Inn wherever we are. After 6 days stay at Holiday Inn, Islamabad we flew to Lahore where my mother was staying and we both stayed in Rom 412, Hilton Hotel, Lahore till I flew back to Kuwait to resume my duty.^ththth

Let me quip that in 1991, I was Business and Manpower Advisor, Pakistan Embassy, Kuwait but ever since Iraqi forces had lit fires in oil wells; I didn’t feel prudent to call my wife and daughter Areej (then two and half year old) to join me in the smoke polluted environment. Quite naturally, on our wedding date (29 Jun) I wished to be with my family in Islamabad and as a diplomat I had flown on discounted air ticket but my official diplomatic obligations did not permit me to go even for two days. I had no option but to stay here all alone by myself in Room 306, Holiday Inn, Kuwait, whereas, my wife Shireen and our daughter Areej stayed in Islamabad in Room 306, Holiday Inn, not only to commemorate our wedding anniversary but also to maintain our annual tradition.^th

I simply cannot help telling that I have nick named her as Shireen (meaning sweet) and since then she is mostly known as Shireen though her official name is still Suhail.  It is very much customary that the wedding document is signed by the couple, witnesses and the official clergy man (maulvi) and this, as such, necessitated that I must buy pens for the signatories. Here again, I have slightly drifted away in a sense that I bought two new pens to be used by the official and the witnesses. I had bought two Cross 18 karat gold pens and got Iqbal-Shireen engraved on one to be used by me while Shireen-Iqbal was written on the pen to be used by her and had decided that not even a single letter, what to talk of a word, will be written with these pens by me and or Shireen except to sign the wedding document.

We were in Kuwait in 1986 when we had our 1 Wedding Anniversary and I deputed Shireen to go to all the hotels and book the banquet hall she likes the best. She opted for Kuwait Marriot Hotel (ship converted into hotel) to host Wedding Anniversary at its Al-Mirage Hall. I must pen that Marriot GM was extra nice person who got me a nicely furnished and decorated complimentary room for us to stay on the day. I thanked the gentleman from core of my heart, but I apologized for the simple reason that my matrimonial promise binds me and Shireen that on our wedding anniversary (29 June) we must stay only in room 306, Holiday Inn, so how can we stay in Marriot Hotel room. As per the tradition, we stayed in Room 306, Holiday Inn and drove from there to Marriot to host the reception and after the function we came back to Holiday Inn to sleep in our matrimonial room on the day.

In 1993, Shagufta, my younger sister in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia wished that we should visit her and stay at her expense in Holiday Inn, Riyadh on our wedding anniversary and, honestly speaking, I liked the idea. I faxed Holiday Inn, Riyadh to book us in Room 306 for 29 June but, as the bad luck had it, the hotel did not have room 306 and instead it suggested that we live in some other room which will be very cozy, comfortable and luxurious but how could I break my lifelong matrimonial promise.^th

It was 2000 when Shireen and Areej were going to Paris to stay with Firdous (younger sister of Shireen) during summer holidays and they wished to fly immediately after closure of academic institutions but are forced to be with me till 29 Jun. I agreed to let them go earlier provided they stay in Holiday Inn, Paris on 29 June to upkeep the tradition. Luckily Fabrice Grasso, Resevations Manager, Holiday Inn La Villette had sent me email on 15 May, 2000 confirming availability of Room 306 for 29 June. ^thththth

How pleased I am to mention that on our 20 Wedding Anniversary (29Jun 05), Mr. Hani Kafafi, GM, Crowne Plaza, Kuwait, at his own, had very kindly arranged an exclusive interview with me and Shireen on the day. CP’s Guest Relations Manager along with photographer came to our room and asked different questions to complete the interview. CP had sent the interview text coupled with the photo taken in our room to all the local dailies of Kuwait which very prominently flashed the same in their newspapers.^th 

Awfully traumatized and shocked I was, but for none of my fault. On 9 April, 2008 I had sent email to Mr. Hani Kafafi, GM, Crowne Plaza, Kuwait requesting him to kindly reserve hotel Room 306 for me for 29 June to commemorate my 23 Wedding Anniversary. Same day Ms. Rodela Bantayan, Resevations Manager, Crowne Plaza sent me the good news confirming that the room has been booked. But very much unluckily on 8 May, the same lady from CP sent me email saying that due to refurbishment of the room, regretfully the room will not be available to me. She had however sent my request to its sister organization Holiday Inn, Salmiya to book its Room 306 for me for the day. On 13 May, Ms. Nette, Reservations Manager, Holiday Inn emailed me happily confirming that its Room 306 has been booked for me for 29 June but, honestly speaking, I am not at all happy to live elsewhere than Crowne Plaza.^ththrdththth

In sheer desperation, on 13 May, I hurriedly met Mr. Anwar Jawad Bukhamseen, local partner and sponsor of CP at one of his National Assembly election tents and explained that the room may kindly be rebooked for me and he very kindly called Mr. Atif, Director Human Resources of CP to look me after. Mr. Atif was too nice and sympathetic to me and realized as to how touchy I am on the issue. He promised to use his official influence and provided, I give in writing that I am accepting the room even if there is some noise or disturbance around and or the room is short on some facilities & comforts. I have sent him the undertaking stating that I, at my own free will, accepting the room to live in on the day. I am too very pleased to pen that eventually I succeeded in my efforts and on Thursday 5 instant CP has confirmed the availability of the room and hence on Sunday 29 June, 2008, I and Shireen stayed in Room 306, Crowne Plaza  to commemorate our 23 Wedding Anniversary.^thtry to get me back the room, ^ththrd

It was 2009 when I was staying for 24 time consecutively staying in Room 306, Crowne Plaza, Kuwait to commemorate our 24 wedding anniversary. Many thanks indeed for CP hospitality because the hotel management not only welcomed us at the hotel with flowers but also had also sent an interviewer with photographer to record our feelings. The hotel has given us our photo taken in the room in a specially prepared folder as a compliment from Mr. Hani Kafafi, General Manager, Crowne Plaza saying ‘Dear Mr and Mrs Iqbal Zaidi! We look forward to having you on your Silver Wedding Anniversary’^thth

Our SilverWedding Anniversary was so on 29 June, Al-Jazeera International TV network and Rai Al-Aam local TV network came to my hotel room, took photo of some of our documents, interviewed both us and made films which they aired on their channels on 30 Jun and 1 Jul respectively.  I have both CDs with me. Al Jazeera had received so tremendous response from viewers in Europe, Africa, Asia and Arab world showing great interest in what they listened and viewed and asked Jazeera for more details etc. They called me to their office and explained to me that in response to the viewers, they are to prepare a report on it and hence they will put some hard questions to me to answer. They asked, God forbid, if Shireen dies then what I will do on 29 June and my answer was to be in the same room though with tears remembering all those years when we were together. Mr. Hani Kafafi, General Manager gifted a commemorative plaque and two bath robes embroidered with our names. Hotel has placed two giant size notices in the lobby with a message pad for people to express their feelings and write comments for our happiest remembrance. Similar message pad was placed in our room as well where many well wishers including 7 ambassadors and a member from royal ruling family of Al-Sabah greeted us and wrote their valuable remarks. One Kuwaiti minister has sent flower basket to our room. One Kuwaiti advisor to Amir of Kuwait has sent greetings from overseas through his mobile. One Kuwaiti ambassador sent greetings from abroad. 5 Ambassadors greeted on telephone and 3 of them sent greeting messages on my mobile. I had very pleasant surprise at the time when checked out on 30 since Mr. Hani had instructed the counter staff that my total bills should be treated as complimentary so this time I did not pay any money which was indeed very happy surprise.

The day (29^th June 2011) began with Arab Times, the most leading English daily of Kuwait, which very prominently flashed the news duly punctuated with a color photograph taken last year on 29^th June at Crowne Plaza hotel marking our Silver Wedding Anniversary under the title ‘Ex-Pakistani diplomat keeps his lifelong matrimonial promise’. AT not only outlined some historical background of the day as to how it began and what happened during the tears in between since then but it also included the programs scheduled today in Room 306 Crowne Plaza to mark our 26^th Wedding Anniversary. A few who read the news in AT called and greeted me on my happiest day.

Crowne Plaza this year too, like previous year, had put to specially designed two multi colored roll up stands sized 85 x 200 cm narrating the salient features under the caption “Never Before it Happened in Human History” showing on left our marriage photo taken in Room 306, Holiday Inn, Islamabad on 29 June 1985 while on right it had our photo taken in Room 306, Crowne Plaza, Kuwait on 29 June 2010 marking our Silver Wedding Anniversary. It also mentioned that KTV 2 (English Channel) will welcome the couple when they arrive to check-in and the film will be aired on Saturday 2 July at 9pm under ‘Week-end Show’. It further said that Mubasher TV Network will interview the couple in the hotel and the event will be aired live from 5 to 6pm. The roll up mentioned that last year on their Silver Wedding Anniversary, Al-Jazeera International TV and Al Rai TV networks interviewed the couple in the hotel and aired on 30 June and 1 July respectively.  It also mentioned that last year on their Silver Wedding Anniversary Mr. Hani Kafafi, General Manager, Crowne Plaza and Director Operations Northern Gulf visited the couple in their Room 306 and presented them a commemorative memento. Other hotel staff too presented them valuable memorable gifts. Lastly it said that in 1991 when Mr. Iqbal was a diplomat at Pakistan Embassy, Kuwait he could not go to Islamabad to be with his family (wife Shireen & daughter Areej) on 29 June hence he stayed here in Room 306, Holiday Inn whereas Shireen and Areej stayed in Room 306, Holiday Inn, Islamabad on the day to upkeep my lifelong matrimonial promise.   It mentioned the commemorative email accounts reading (a) samepersonssamedatesameroomsamehotel@hotmail.com and (b) ^ththndthstthWill it not anentry for Guniness World Records Book?iqbalnshireen29junroom306holidayinn_mylifelongmatrimonailpromise@hotmail.com. Both the roll up stands was placed in the lobby facing the entrance so that anyone who enters the hotel to either stay or dine should not miss reading them. A glass table with 2 very cozy sofa chairs together with suitably designed message pad for my 26 Wedding Anniversary was placed at both the stands for the viewers to read my lifelong matrimonial promise and pen their views, if they wished. CP had also put up my designed banner measuring 65 x 185 cm for our Room 306 and all these arrangements had been very professionally done some time before we entered the hotel.^th

Kuwait Television English Channel 2, a government owned entity had placed its camera right in front of the revolving entrance door of the hotel. The interviewer heartily welcomed us the moment I accompanied with Shireen entered the hotel to check-in. KTV crew followed us to the reception desk where we signed our arrival and got 2 sets of keys (1 each for me & Shireen). The hotel staff offered us welcome drink and got themselves photographed with us at one the roll up stands. The interviewer also interviewed us at the stand and asked me some very pertinent questions like what is my philosophy to stay in the same room, same hotel on the same date. I replied that I was Administration Manager, EPIC Instruments Inc (USA Co) in Kuwait when decided to marry on 30 June 1985 and hence my room was 306 so that the wedding date and the hotel wedding room should be the same. However, company owner Mr. E. K. Mills asked me to return two days earlier from Pakistan so that I am with the company lawyer at the time when EPIC was going to sign up an agreement with a UK company. I agreed with him. However, when I called Holiday Inn (the only 5 star in the city) Islamabad asking them to book room 286 if I wed on 28 June but it was not available. I asked for room 296 if marrying on 29 June but that too was not possible. I had never ever thought to marry in a 4 star hotel in any case. Now I had no option but to wed on 29 and stay in 306 which still has 50% relationship between the date and the room but if I had married on 28 and lived in 306, the two were as apart as earth and sky. The anchor asked me to give some memorable instances of the married life till today. I mentioned that in 1986 we celebrated our 1 Wedding Anniversary in Kuwait. I told Shireen to run around to all the hotels and select one to host reception to mark our 1 anniversary. She selected Marriot Hotel for the reception which as a courtesy decorated a room and offered us as a compliment but I thanked its American general manager saying that my promise is stay in Room 306 Holiday Inn hence I cannot sleep in Marriot. We checked in Room 306 Holiday Inn and drove from there to Marriot to host the reception and returned to 306 Holiday Inn to sleep for the night. The anchor asked some at some more question to me and Shireen alike at the place before we boarded the lift to go to 3 floor to enter our matrimonial room 306. The camera man filmed the room no 306 prominently stuck at the wall next to the room entrance. He filmed me using the computerized card to open the door. He then entered the room and filmed both of us as we entered the room which was too elegantly laid up. The room banner put up in the center of the front wall itself spoke of the day. The ceremonial cake cutting ceremony was held in the room and the memorable moment was instantly filmed. The anchor asked to give any message for their viewers about matrimonial success. I said that mutual trust and harmony between the husband and wife is the crux of successful married life. I very openly admitted that I do not even know my bank account number and my bank card is with Shireen and I have never asked her about expenses as she is at complete liberty to spend the money as she wants. Shireen opined that husband wife are equal in their rights and obligations and this is what she firmly believes in and has strictly practiced the same since she married me in 1985. In the end I thanked KTV for the honor they bestowed on me and I wished all the best for the people of Kuwait under the leadership of Amir of Kuwait. I was not at all hesitant to pronounce that Kuwait is so do dear to me that I am living here since 1978 and preferred to continue here and refused to shift to USA in 1986. It all happened between 1435 to 1525 hours time. KTV 2 will air it in its weekly program called “Week-end Show” on Saturday 9th July, 2011 at 9pm.^{thththththststrd}

Mubasher TV network is a private channel run in Arabic and owned by H. H. Sheikh Fahad Salem Al Sabah. Its crew reached the hotel and 4-30pm and took all the logistical steps to interview both of us live from 5 to 6 pm. They selected a bit quiet place within the lobby so that there is not much disturbance and or distraction during the question-answer interview session. They got moved up one of the roll up stand for the purpose. Anchor asked us questions in English and translated the same in Arabic for its viewers. CP had deputized its Public Relations Manager to say on behalf of the hotel about my lifelong matrimonial promise. She very elegantly replied that the hotel is truly proud of the couple and prayed that the couple must celebrate their golden jubilee and thereafter also with them. Almost 65% of the program was conducted in the lobby and then we moved to the room to complete the rest of it.  The anchor asked me in particular as to what I feel when I am here each year on 29 June on my wedding anniversary in Room 306 Crowne Plaza. I replied that what really amazes me that though since 1986 many faces have changed, but yet all those who meet me each year are so much informed about my matrimonial tradition that I cannot help saying that my story is passed on from old hands to new hands. I was also asked to narrate an instance, if any when I faced some difficulty in getting the room. I quoted an instance when in 1988 some American executive was staying in the room for many months and the hotel called me saying that perhaps I will have to be accommodated in some different room which I refused and suggested that I can talk to the present occupant in case if the hotel staff feels reluctant to talk about it. However, the hotel executive spoke to the worthy customer aged around 70+ that I wish to stay in the room on 29 June. He very smilingly agreed to shift just for one day to accommodate me. The gentle man called and congratulated me when I was in the room saying that he is facing lot of difficulties to be in a different room just for the day but yet I simply could not ignore your life long matrimonial promise. The anchor asked both of us as to what do we advise to others who are also married like us. My message was that each couple must be very friendly and flexible in their approach so that that there is never any friction between them and they can live very happy matrimonial life. Shireen said that blind trust is the key for successful married life and not otherwise. We both thanked Mubasher TV for their consideration and the pains they took to cover the event and share our happiness.^thth

Then a lady journalist with a photographer from Arabic daily Al-Mustaqbil came to the room for our interview. She crossed Iqbal by asking him as to what gift he gave to Shireen before and even today on wedding anniversary? My answer was that I am a different person and want to be different and cannot give her gift which many do; host party like others; dine out as many couples do and or travel which is practiced by some on wedding anniversary and instead he promised to stay in same room same hotel on same which none did and do. I showed her an email dated 15 May 2000 received from Holiday Inn Lavillette, Paris, France in reply to my request confirming availability of Room 306 for 29th June. Areej school closed during last week of May or 1 week June and she complained that each year she cannot travel out unless she stays with me on 29 June hence that time I obtained her and Shireen’s booking in Paris so that they can fly out earlier and stay in Holiday Inn, Paris on the wedding anniversary but then Shireen persuaded Areej not to leave me alone on wedding anniversary hence they were with me on 15 wedding anniversary. However, they flew out to France on 2 July. The interviewer asked me to comment about divorce and separation which is very much rampant in the present days but it was not so in the glorious past. Iqbal opined that the couple, both individually and collectively, must prove prudent and responsible persons to happily spend their married lives rather than plaguing it with doubts and quarrels. Shireen advised that both the partners must share their household responsibilities jointly and judiciously so that their married life is smooth devoid of any humps and bumps. It published the article with color photograph atken in Room 306 on Tuesday 5th July on page 21.^thstththnd

Royal television of Pakistan also covered the event and questions and answers session were conducted in Urdu language both in the lobby and the room. Anchor asked Iqbal as to what is the hurdle that his name could not be still listed in Guinness World Records Book though it is very much unprecedented in human history. Iqbal heaved and said that he had left Holiday Inn original bills in Kuwait when Iraq occupied Kuwait and when he returned as diplomat in April 1991, his house had already been looted so he lost the original bills. Luckily I had sent photo copies of the bills to my house in Pakistan which I have them now with me otherwise I had no proof that I ever married on 29 June, 1985 and stayed in Room 306, Holiday Inn, Islamabad and or commemorated my wedding anniversaries and stayed in Holiday Inn, Kuwait on 29 June during the years 1986 to 1990. I said that I am getting the photo copies attested by the hotel in Kuwait. My sheer bad luck is that I do not have original bill but a photo copy of Holiday Inn, Islamabad also when Shireen and Areej stayed there on 29 June on 6 wedding anniversary. Original Holiday Inn, Islamabad has been sold out and it is becoming too difficult to obtain original bills even though I am prepared to get them printed in a press at my cost. Here the hotel will attest my photo copies so that I can apply to Guinness Book.  As regards to my message for other married couples,  I very emphatically said that it all depends upon the husband and wife to live happily or angrily. Shireen maintained that married life is a two way traffic and unless and both are on the same frequency, married life cannot be successful whatsoever.^thththth

A journalist from Pakistan Urdu newspaper named Ansaaf was the last to cover the event. He photographed the roll up stand in the hotel lobby before coming up to Room 306 to talk to his compatriots. He was full of praise to know about the couple and very openly said that he has never heard, read or even thought alike. His first question to me was as to who gave me the idea to do alike if I had not thought of myself? I replied instantly that by nature I want to be different and none whosoever advised me to do alike. I even said that I had bought 2 Cross pens engraved with the names Shireen-Iqbal and Iqbal-Shireen to be used by her and me respectively to sign our wedding document. We have just signed the document and not even a word was written either by me or her before and after with the pens. I also narrated that in 2009 my room was booked since February but then in May I got a notice from them saying that the room will be under repairs and maintenance on the day when my anniversary falls hence alternatively they have booked room 306 Holiday Inn, Salmiya for 29 of June but I did not agree to the change and wished to stay in same room I am staying since 1986. I had no option but to meet Mr. Jawad Bukhamseen, Owner of Crowne Plaza to get back room 306 for my 24 wedding anniversary. He was awfully busy to solve the riddle and called one of his directors to sort it out. Director told me that the room can be given to me provided I write an acceptance that I will not complain if the room is short on some facilities or there is some disturbance around the room. I gave them in writing to live in 306 on 29 June, 2009 in whatever condition it is on the day. I pronounced that nobody even king or presidents did or do to commemorate wedding anniversary in this manner. The journalist asked if he knew in 1985 that he could be listed in Guinness Book. I very frankly admitted that on 29 June 1985 I did not even know of Guinness Book so I did not do it for any world record but for purely for my satisfaction alone and it is just a chance that now it is going to be reckoned globally. In reply to the last question as to what I want to tell the readers, I said that everyone gets just one life so why not to make it most memorable one like I have proved. The journalists also asked Shireen to give any message for the readers and she said that an event like this adds more glory to the lives of the couple so why not to go for it.^thththth

I must admit this time not many could visit me as it happened last time. First of all, this time media had taken most of the time and I was unable to give some specific time to my contacts to bless me in the room. H. E. Prof Dr Yousuf Hamad Al Ibrahim, former Finance, Education, Higher Education and Planning Minister and now Advisor to Amir sent greetings from overseas. Last year too he was not here and greeted me from overseas. Mr. Jamal Shahab Al Shahab, former Labour and Justice Minister could not come but greeted. My bad luck that same evening H. E. Huang Jie Min had hosted a dinner at his house so most of his colleague ambassadors could not make it. H. E. Ahmed Bala G, Ambassador of Nigeria did come to my room as he was with me last year too. H. E. Bui Quoc Trung, Ambassador of Vietnam greeted me on phone and apologized not to come but deputized his Second Secretary to bring flowers and attend on his behalf. H. E. Ibrahim Bakarr Kamara, Ambassador of Sierra Leone who came last time greeted me but regretted since he had some foreign guests with him. H. E. Madhuban P Paudel, Ambassador of Nepal who penned his greetings in person last time, greeted me but regretted since next day he has some small surgical appointment. H. E. Mauel Pardinas Ajeno, Ambassador of Cuba who visited me last year regretted because same day he was flying out on summer holidays. H. E. Mohamed Adam Mahat, Ambassador of Kenya greeted me but regretted due to some other engagement. H. E. Ho Jong. Ambassador of North Korea greeted and regretted since he was attending dinner at Chinese Ambassador house. H. E. Amador Velasquez, Ambassador of Peru informed me that he will visit me if possible. H. E. Mag. Marian A. Wrba, Ambassador of Austria; H. E. Dasho Sherub Tenzin, Ambassador of Bhutan; H. E. Shulan O Primavera, Ambassador of Philippines greeted me from overseas. Netherlands, Laos, Argentine and Indonesia embassies regretted since H. E. Ton Boon Von Ochssee, H. E. Thongphachanh Sonnasinh. H. E. Jorge O A Biga and H. E. Ferry Adamhar, Ambassadors of Netherlands, Laos, Argentine and Indonesia were out of Kuwait on 29 June. H. E. Nasser Bareh Al-Enezi, Kuwaiti Ambassador in Indonesia greeted me.^th

Saturday 2 July^nd, ‘Voluntary Team Hope’ which a NGO invited both of us to attends their prize distribution ceremony and tells about our matrimonial story to the attendees. As a matter of fact, the volunteers of VTH had watched live tv coverage of our 26^th   wedding anniversary and felt very much enthusiastic to meet us and hear from our mouth about it. It was a big conference room accommodating 42 persons fitted with individual mikes. The volunteers were all Kuwaitis including both male and females who were youth ranging up to 35 years. The organizer gave a bit of introductory talk in Arabic to the audience before asking me to speak out myself. I spoke in English and a lady volunteer was translating it into English and it went on alike for about 15 minutes but they I had to speak a sentence in Arabic which surprised them and they wished that I should speak in Arabic. I then started all over again and they were dumb listening to such a wonderfully successful married life account. On occasions, both male and female thumped the table in applause. Summing up I said that at times I differed with Shireen or for that matter she did not agree to my point of view but then we had to prove to ne prudential in sorting it out and therefore we are a very happy couple. Shireen said that she will give just one example in particular proving how magnetic he had felt towards me. She told the audience that he had brought multi-colored cigarette packets named Cocktail from Kuwait and for all 8 days from wedding to his return to Kuwait, he smoked none but those cigarettes only and the beauty was that he smoked the same color cigarette which matched the color of the dress which I wore and it was really too electrifying for Kuwaiti men and women to listen to. Shireen was honored to give commendation certificates to the lady volunteers. At the end they gave us also a certificate mentioning our names and applauding our exemplary married life. We were photographed in group with them. Many ladies and gentlemen wished that we should visit their families to let them also hear about it.

H.E. Nasser Bareh Al-Enezi, Kuwait Ambassador in Indonesia invited me in February 2011 to Jakarta to attend his country’s national day celebrations and during my stay I met a lady from TV One-the most popular tv network of the country who was thrilled to hear about my lifelong matrimonial promise. She phoned her boss and narrated my story who in turn asked her to interview me. Unluckily next day I was returning to Kuwait but she asked me to delay my departure by just 2 days. On 28 February, 2011 I was interviewed live by TV One and after the interview she not only gave me a cd about my interview but also handed over an envelope which had cash.^th

2012 is the year when I had to commemorate my 27 Wedding Anniversary on Friday 29 June in Room 306. Mr. Ramay Hayakal, GM, Crowne Plaza was too much infused to know about my matrimonial promise so he told me that he will give a life remembering surprise to me on the day and quite naturally it as such added more charm to my day and I became too curious to figure out as to what it could be but since GM kept it his chest, I had to wait till the day comes. GM has sent a detailed write up to both English and Arabic dailies to flash the news together with our photos informing the readers that we will be in Room 306 on 29 June to celebrate our 27 Wedding Anniversary. Kuwait Times and Arab Times flashed the story on 27 and 28 respectively under the caption ‘Unique and unprecedented matrimonial promise’. I along with Shireen and our daughter Dr Areej checked in around 1335 where we were heartily and warmly welcomed by Mr. Ramay Hayakal, GM; Guest Relations Manager; Marketing Manager and other hotel staff. Rai Tv crew was also in attendance but preferred to film us in the room rather than in the lobby. We boarded the lift to reach 3 floor to enter Room 306 and believe you me we were over excited and ignited to know that GM has put up a plaque at the entrance of the room reading ‘Room 306 has been occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Iqbal Zaidi on 29 of June of every year since 1986 on their Wedding Anniversary’. This was exceptionally good. The plaque was covered and I and Shireen jointly took off the cover. This plaque will remind all the occupants about my lifelong matrimonial promise. 

Hotel has put up two roll up stands in the lobby which had my photo and Shireen along with brief details about my lifelong matrimonial promise. Tables and chairs were placed at both the points and message pad was available for people to pen their feelings if they feel like. Hotel has also placed a big banner in the room with our photograph, dates and my emails ( / ). Commemorative cake with our photos was available in the room which we both cut when Rai Tv filmed us.samepersonssamedatesameroomsamehotel@hotmail.comiqbalnshireen 29junroom306holidayinn_mylifelongmatrimonialpromise@hotmail.com

Rai Tv which is an Arabic channel filmed us in our room. Anchor was much surprised and pleased to go through my matrimonial life. She then posed some questions and asked for some in depth details about our marriage. Luckily I could reply her in Arabic while Shireen answered in English. It was shown same day at 9 pm in News bulletin.

H. E. Dr. M. A. Odeen Ishamael, Ambassador of Guyana visited me and presented a book authored by him. H. E. Dr. Mohamed S. Omeish, Ambassador of Libya also visited me. H. E. Mamadou Bello, Ambassador of Central African Republic; H. E. Dato Adnan Haji Usman, Ambassador of Malaysia; H. E. Madhuban P. Paudel, Ambassador of Nepal; H. E.  Ibrahim Bakaar Kamara, Ambassador of Sierra Leone and H. E. Bui Quoc Trung, Ambassador of Vietnam had confirmed to visit me in the room but did not come. H. E. Abdul Kader Amin Shaikh Abu Baker, Ambassador of Somalia and Deputy Dean, Diplomatic Corps greeted me and promised to visit if time permits. H. E. Mohamed Adam Mahat, Ambassador of Kenya congratulated but regretted as he does not attend such event. H. E. Vasile Sofineti, Ambassador of Romania greeted but regretted due to some pressing official obligations. H. E. Robert J. Tyson, Ambassador of Australia; H. E. Marian A. Wrba, Ambassador of Austria; H. E. Tairou Aboudo Kabassi, Ambassador of Benin; H. E. Mustapa Aliuddin, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam; H. E. Thongphachanh Sonnasinh, Ambassador of Laos; H. E. Ten Boon von Ochssee, Ambassador of Netherlands; H. E. Shulan O Primavera, Ambassador of Philippines greeted me but regretted to see me as they will be not in the country.   

My lifelong matrimonial promise is unprecedented in human history and none did or do alike including  my Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari  H. H. Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jabar Al Sabah, Amir of Kuwait where I am living since 1978 or the mightiest American President Obama  the longestserving HRH Queen Elizabeth of UK or  the longest serving King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX) ofThailandor even  the richest Mr. Carlos Slin Helu of Mexico owning $ 74 billion.