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This cross-cultural wedding in Sialkot is breaking the internet right now

This cross-cultural wedding in Sialkot is breaking the internet right now

21-year-old Kashif met Maria Helena, a 41-year-old reiki master from California, online a year ago. They are now married
16 Nov, 2018

While the DeepVeer wedding storm continues to brew from Italy to India, a slightly different kind of nuptials has piqued the interest of Pakistani social media.

Instagram buds-turned-lovebirds Kashif Ali and Maria Helena Abrams tied the knot in a Sialkot hotel yesterday and people are amazed at the match.

Why?

While Kashif is a 21-year-old B.Com student from the Raipur village, Maria is a 41-year-old reiki master, driver and dog trainer from California! How did their paths even cross?!

Speaking to the press, Kashif explained that the two became friends over Instagram and the rest, as they say, is history.

Their wedding was a private affair (except that lots of press was present!) as Kashif's family elders decided to exclude extended family and friends from the wedding event and only invited close relatives. Hafiz Shakeel Ahmed officiated the wedding.

Speaking to media after the wedding, Maria Helena said she felt "very loved, and a little sleepy".

When asked how she feels about Kashif, she answered, "Kashif is wonderful. I love him. He makes me happy."

"I don't know whether we'll live in Pakistan or America and it doesn't matter as long as we're together."

She confirmed hearsay that she's embraced Islam and said that she will now go by Maria.

Comments

Sameera Nov 16, 2018 03:56pm
Oh bummer! The look on this boys face !!
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Bajake Thokde Nov 16, 2018 03:57pm
Embracing Religion is per-requisite for sustenance of a wedding in certain Cults. But it was an obstacle for the bride which she willingly crossed over, but the Groom remained embroiled in his world-view, un-liberated. If the bride was really interested in Islam, she would have searched Islam, and not a groom.
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M. Saeed Nov 16, 2018 04:17pm
Once there was a craze for visa fiances and nationality seeking marriages. Now a new trend.
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Amer Rao Nov 16, 2018 04:55pm
MashaAllah, Congratulations from all of us.
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Neo Nov 16, 2018 05:28pm
@Sameera. He will be ok.
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A shah Nov 16, 2018 05:37pm
All to get American residency
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HonorBright Nov 16, 2018 05:54pm
All sweetness and strength to those who stood up for their love, live happy ever after!!
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Hasan Nov 16, 2018 06:01pm
Not the first couple of this sort. So was the fuss?
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Umair Ahmed Nov 16, 2018 06:43pm
That's Love..
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ga Nov 16, 2018 07:04pm
All the best!
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Ehsan Nov 16, 2018 07:40pm
Congrats and wish a happy life together
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Aemal Ahmad Nov 16, 2018 07:57pm
A bold and daunting step. Only love can break each and every taboo.
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Ali Nov 16, 2018 08:01pm
Love is blind as they say, so let us wish the newly wed all the best.
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Demagogue Nov 16, 2018 08:23pm
Good luck toy boy!
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Zak Nov 16, 2018 10:37pm
Wishing the couple a happy and bright future
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Abdur Raheem Nov 16, 2018 11:16pm
great couple congratulations. bride is pretty and seems down to earth.
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Tariq, Lahore Nov 17, 2018 01:35am
Well, usually it's the older men that marrying a younger bride but here it's the older bride marrying a young groom and why not if it makes them happy!
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Surinder Gill Nov 17, 2018 01:51am
Boy looks sad. married for immigration?
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Surinder Gill Nov 17, 2018 01:52am
Boy looks not happy. No smile. An other immigration visa marriage?
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syed asfandyar Nov 17, 2018 02:08am
Congrats and all the best... A pleasant story in the news for a change Some hateful comments as usual from some silly hearts...I hope most reading this story ignore and counter most of the garbage
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Zack Khan Nov 17, 2018 04:00am
Wish them well, and leave them alone!
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Ahsan Gul Nov 17, 2018 04:25am
Good luck to both. We are happy for them.
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Rajput Nov 17, 2018 05:24am
two words, "green card".
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Faseeh Nov 17, 2018 10:08am
Why is it to Let others live in a way they want to live. let them have their lives people!
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Tamza Nov 17, 2018 11:22am
About 25 years ago there was a woman in Florida who ran such a business [there must have been others too] - she was already married, had a husband, and 3-4 children. Since records are only at the county level, she could marry about as often as needed to transact an ‘immigration’ nuptial. Here going rate in 1985 was $10,000. How was she caught: one of her clients [an Indian] ‘fell in love’ and really wanted to consummate and remain married. When she refused he reported to the police.
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Ali k Nov 17, 2018 11:54am
@Rajput Its not about Green card all the time coz marriages are made in heaven no matter how much you try.
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Mo Nov 17, 2018 11:58am
I wish them happy married life together. Maria looks beautiful in pakistani dress and kashif looks handsome. All the best guys.
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Mohsin Khan Nov 17, 2018 01:30pm
Shame on ppl judging their intentions. 1) Pakistanis accusing the groom for visa 2) Indians for conversion 3) posting Indian propaganda comments
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Neo Nov 17, 2018 02:07pm
@Tamza. Are you that person.
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Uncle sam Nov 17, 2018 06:26pm
Good luck to both of you.
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Danish Nov 17, 2018 09:25pm
I noticed how Maulana sahab touched the girls hand. He could be careful if he want it to be.
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Rev. Eldrick Lal Nov 18, 2018 05:35am
It's so early to establish whether the marriage is solely for the purpose of green pastures or the couple truly liked each other and the marriage is legitimate.
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Bashir Nov 18, 2018 05:41am
Look at the video on the instragram, the clergy is trying to give the newly wed bride an inappropriate touch while taking a pen from her hand. And the groom stopped that.
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Sara Nov 18, 2018 11:59am
Wonder how much money exchanged hands
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Sara Nov 18, 2018 12:00pm
This is a sham wedding to obtain stay in usa
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Sitara Ankhein Nov 18, 2018 02:05pm
May ALLAH Bless this couple with happiness prosperity and make their life beautiful AAMEEN
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bilal-atlanta Nov 18, 2018 09:40pm
Beautiful couple.. God bless..
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Ankur Nov 19, 2018 02:01pm
Ok. So much negativity and some humour in the comment sections. However, are we not missing the real point here? Love knows no boundaries. Heart speaks, and heart listens. A language in itself! I wish them well :)
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Ahmed Nov 20, 2018 01:54am
A simple case of seeking migration.
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MUHAMMAD ADNAN AHMED Nov 20, 2018 12:42pm
Let them free to enjoy their new life, Don't criticize. Marriage life specially cross-cultural is not a piece of cake.
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