The joyous occasion of Nabeeha and Aidan’s Nikkah,

has brought us all here.

Let us make dua (prayer) to Allah (swt) to bless this marriage to be a beautiful journey of love, companionship, joy and contentment.

Let us also remember to make dua for our community and the Ummah at large,

from the Sudan, Congo, Palestine, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Yemen, Burma, the UK to anyone and any place dealing with hardships. We ask Almighty to strengthen their resolve to face challenges and ease their suffering;

To protect all those regions in the world being subjected to injustice, oppression and persecution;

To grant everyone patience and replace their suffering with comfort and peace.

We entrust the Almighty and ask Him to accept our duas. Ameen.

By Fatima Alam

Special Feature: Asima Hussain (Bride's Mom)

Rehmat ke phool hain hamari Betiyan,

Bandiyan ye bhi khuda ki hain,

barkat ke phool hain betiyan!

Baap ke har dard mein saath

hoti hain betiyan,

Maa ka doosra haath hoti

hain betiyan!

Dada Dadi ke aankhon ki chamak,

To Nana Nani ke liye khaas hoti hain betiyan!

Maa baap ki khidmatein karti hain betiyan,

Nematein hai Allah ki,

Jannat ke phool hain betiyan!

Mushkil mein sab kaam aati hain betiyan,

Raunaq hamesha ghar ki badhati hain betiyan!

Hum agar deen inko sikhlayenge

rabb ke ahkaam inko batlayenge

To raasta hamari bakshish ka phir bann jayingi betiyan !

Aaj kal to Bete bhi chale jaate hain rukhsat hokar,

Phir kyun samajhte hain log mehmaan hai betiyan !

Ye woh taaqat hai

Jo chote se ghar ko bhi bana de Mahal,

Aayiye hum milkar qadr karein

palkon pe apni sajayein,

Ye unmol motiyan,

hamari pyaari si betiyan!

When Lahore meets Hyderabad

Aidan’s Side: A Lahori with a Global Twist. Our groom, Aidan, was born in the Great White North (that’s Canada, eh!) before moving to North Carolina and finally settling in Cincinnati. While his roots trace back to Lahore, Pakistan, don’t expect him to break out into bhangra or start speaking Punjabi. Aidan’s family in Lahore is more about the chill vibes of the city. He may not know the latest shalwar kameez trends, but he’s got a love for doodh pathi chai and a sincere Lahore charm. He’s charmed the bride—that’s for sure!

Nabeeha’s Side: The Heartbeat of Hyderabad.

For Nabeeha, Hyderabad is more than just a city; it’s a living, breathing mosaic of vibrant colors, sounds, and life. The moment you step foot in there, your senses are tantalized by the buzzing energy—the koil birds at dawn, the hustle of rickshaws, the calls of street vendors, and the warmth of the sun filtering through the verandah. In this lively chaos, Nabeeha finds comfort—Hyderabad is a reflection of the energy that speaks to her soul. Hyderabad is a beautiful tapestry of diverse

languages, religions, foods, and traditions that weave togehter a rich cultural fabric. Nabeeha cherishes this! Hyderabad is deeply personal to Nabeeha—it’s Banjara Hills, where her beloved Nanni lived. She holds many dear memories there listening to her recite quran, sing nasheeds and reading the newspaper in Urdu with her.

When Cultures Collide

Today, we celebrate not just the union of Nabeeha and Aidan, but also a fusion of two rich cultures. It’s Lahore meets Hyderabad in the most unexpected ways. Expect a little spice, a whole lot of love, and maybe, just maybe, Aidan trying his hand at some Hyderabadi phrases (with Nabeeha’s patient guidance, of course).

As the day unfolds, we invite you to enjoy and experience this beautiful blend of traditions. Just like biryani tastes better with a little extra masala, today is about adding those special cultural spices that make life richer.

By Sana Khan

Meet the couple through this exclusive inteview by Nisha Patel.

Explore special moments and dreams that define their relationship. Join us in celebrating the love and connection that makes Nabeeha and Aidan truly unique.

One of Nabeeha and Aidan’s most cherished memories is the day they spent in Washington, D.C. It was a rainy day, but that only seemed to add to the magic of their adventure. The outing began with a delicious breakfast of eggs benedict, crab cakes, and milkshakes. They wandered through Downtown DC, visiting iconic landmarks and the Natural History Museum. Despite the rain soaking Aidan’s right side, he held a small umbrella over Nabeeha, ensuring she stayed dry. As John Green beautifully said, “It’s not the length of time you spend with someone, but the moments you share.”

Looking ahead, Nabeeha and Aidan are excited about many things. They look forward to watching each other’s favorite movies and embarking on new adventures. While Aidan may not be as impulsive as Nabeeha, he eagerly anticipates joining her in exploring the world, experiencing life’s surprises, and making new memories. Their future is filled with the promise of shared joy and discovery.

Aidan is drawn to Nabeeha’s vibrant energy and the joy she brings into his life. He finds that he never gets bored when he’s with her and always wants to be in her company.

For Nabeeha, Aidan provides a sense of calm and comfort that makes her feel truly at home. He creates a space where she feels relaxed and at ease, a feeling echoed in the words of the author and poet E.E. Cummings beautifully put it, “Home is where you are”. Nabeeha and Aidan’s love story is a testament to the joy of finding someone who completes you and the excitement of building a future together.

By Nisha Patel

Unmatched are the blessings of elders. We appreciate them & those caring for them in their attendance & duas.

We sincerely miss and make dua for those we hope to have here.

From the Nikkah in Chicago

SaniMar Studio - Decor

From Sabeeh’s wedding to several friends and my own now, Oleg continues to be our number 1 recommendation!

Choudhary Jewels (Chicago & Naperville)

Madhu Aunty is fabulous to work with!

302bySamia - Hair+Dupatta

She does it all exquisitely!

SimplyMe - Salon

Services for men and women. For hijabi’s they have private room! Enough said, book her already!

Tooba Rahim Make-Up

@ToobaRahim |You’ll love her work! Do I not look gorgeous? Enough said.

Mehndi: Excellent work by Aliya Sultana. Love, love love her skills.

Alterations: ASF Tailors. Samina Aunty is impeccable and so wonderful to work with. Shae made for the bride a custom hijab cap and cover. She is amazing!

The Nikkah is not merely a ceremony; it is a sacred covenant that binds two souls in a lifelong journey of love, respect, and devotion. Rooted in the profound teachings of Islam, the Nikkah carries with it a deep spiritual significance, where marriage is not just a social contract but a divine alliance. Unlike many weddings that focus on celebration, the Nikkah is a solemn reminder of the responsibilities and commitments that the couple undertakes before God and community.

Historically, the Nikkah has been a revolutionary affirmation of women’s rights and empowerment. In a time when women were often marginalized, Islam introduced the Nikkah as a beacon of equality and dignity. Central to this sacred union is the Mahr, a gift from the groom to the bride. But the Mahr is more than just a token of affection; it is a powerful symbol of the bride’s autonomy and worth. It ensures that she enters the marriage with her independence intact, her rights acknowledged, and her dignity preserved.

The Nikkah is a celebration of mutual respect and equality, where the bride is not a passive participant but an empowered partner. The marriage contract, witnessed by others, is a testament to the seriousness of the commitment, a pledge of mutual support and shared spiritual growth.

In the Nikkah, we see the echoes of a time when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) introduced reforms that elevated the status of women, giving them rights and protections that were revolutionary for the era. Today, the Nikkah continues to honor that legacy, reminding us that true love is built on a foundation of respect, equality, and unwavering commitment.

By Tooba Rahim

The couple wanted to share their spotlight with an organization they hold very dear—Islamic Oasis.
In 2008, after years of providing social services, and humanitarian work overseas; the organization found it necessary to establish a full-time Center that provided the community with Islamic studies, social services, and after-school tutoring in Chicago.
That mission is not just words, but is reflected in their every action. It is enacted in how they help children who have lost almost all of their family have a safe place to do homework, how they feed the hungry in their locality, how they teach needed skills to refugees and how they build pride, unity and identity within often overlooked black and brown community members—just a few things we can attest to volunteering there ourselves alongside Nabeeha.


To support these efforts, the couple decided to contribute to Islamic Oasis’ school program by donating towards the salary of one of their beloved teachers. She is a sister originally from Syria (where she was a school teacher as well),.She came as a refugee and has been working for Islamic Oasis for 5 years now. She is also the Quran teacher after school. A mother of 4 mashallah she still finds time to teach revert sisters how to read the Quran for free, subhanallah! She is a pillar of our community.
By Haneen Ouyoun

You can join the couple in supporting this program by visiting;
https://islamicoasis.org/teachers-donate/
The couple believes there is no better start to their union than sadqah/charity to the community and the duas/blessings surrounding it.

This event could not have come together in all its magic if not for the unwavering support and creativity of the bride squad, from our columnists, aunts, cousins, to friends.

You are the heartbeat of today’s celebration!

And of course, Thank You to you, yes YOU! For being part of our mixtape. For your joyous participation, silent prayers and loud cheers that have made today memorable.