By Abdussamad Yahya Sufi
On 09/09/26, Abuja Nigeria tied the knot while the bride and groom followed from continents away.
Ahmad Muhammad Qaseem of Sokoto State, a Nigerian student in the Far East, and Zainab Ali Baba, a Nigerian student in West Asia, were wed while overseas. The ceremony was conducted at the residence of their revered Islamic leader, with parents, friends and religious leaders present.
It was morning in the Far East. Afternoon in West Asia. Evening in West Africa. Three time zones, one union. The groom was on one continent. The bride was on another. The wedding setting was on a third.
The celebration wasn’t in one place. Abuja prayed. The internet trended. Nigerians applauded a couple that upheld tradition despite the miles.
Ahead of the day, Ahmad called it "a marriage never seen before. Very international. Very historic."
The wedding depicts a reality in many Nigerian homes today: children are studying abroad, but core traditions are still held at home.
Rumi once said on distance lovers:
"Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along."
Adekunle Gold put it in pidgin:
"I dey find you, I dey find you, I no go tire.
And Kahlil Gibran said:
"Let there be spaces in your togetherness."For Ahmad and Zainab, that space is measured in continents for now.
In a time when school and work mostly delay marriage, their union gives a different model. Keep faith and family at the center, and let technology close the gap.
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| Ahmad Qaseem. Groom. 09/09/26 |
A curtain of seas
Love within
Faith broke the veil
One life began
May the marriage of Ahmad and Zainab be blessed with peace, love and mercy.