Happily ever after in COVID times

ROSHIN GEORGE

Two Indian weddings in Dubai recently have hogged attention in COVID times. Since the pandemic has spoiled grand wedding plans of couples, they have come up with novel themes and means to make the day memorable.

Keralites Muhammed Jazem and Almas Ahmed had a ‘drive-by ceremony’ for their dear ones outside their home in Jumeirah after a traditional Nikah (wedding). They stood under a flower arch outside their home so that family members and friends who could not be part of the Nikah could stop by in their cars outside the couple’s home for less than two minutes, wish them happiness and take a photo.

The Nikah was at 12pm and the reception from 4pm to 6pm.The guests were informed in a video invitation not to step out of the car, to keep moving to avoid traffic, and not pull over, the groom said. Though Dubai government has given the green signal to host socially distanced ceremonies, they did not want a big event since many of their relatives are elderly and fall under the high-risk category.

Jazem and Almas grew up in the UAE. Both were students of New Indian Model School in Dubai. However, they did not know each other in school, and had an arranged marriage. Jazem is an aeronautical engineer with Emirates Airline, while Almas is a final-year medical student.

School sweethearts wed after 20 years

A week earlier, Indian resident Vijay Valecha put a ring on his school sweetheart’s finger at the Indian High School (IHS) in Dubai where they had met as high-schoolers. Vijay was in Grade 9 when he fell in love with Radhika Doshi in Grade 10 in the school bus.

Vijay, 35, proposed to Radhika, 36 in a romantic set-up full of flowers at the IHS venue. Since their families initially did not agree to their relationship, the alliance was delayed.

The filmy proposal and engagement was followed by a wedding a few days later.