Love recognises no barriers in Bahrain and the GDN was invited to share the joy and happiness of a young couple who tied the knot in what is believed to be the first union of its kind in the kingdom.
When a composed and elegant Abdulrahman Al Dhaheri walked with his beautiful bride Maha Al Abdulla into the ballroom of the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain, Muharraq, family and friends celebrated.
What made this ceremony even more special was the fact that the groom has Down syndrome. Despite the challenges of slight developmental issues, he has secured a full time job with a leading retail company and conquered love.
Happiest
“It is the happiest moment of my life,” 24-year-old Bahraini Mr Al Dhaheri and his 21-year-old blushing bride simply said: “We’re together forever.”
The couple was welcomed with the traditional acclamatory hailing by older women and as the music filled the air, family and friends showered blessings on them.
“One of my priorities at this stage is to take care of my wife and to have a home like my brothers,” Mr Al Dhaheri told the GDN. “Also, to rearrange my time, to balance between work and home!”
The couple had known each other for eight months. His family introduced them after he had let them know of his dream of one day marrying and raising a family.
“My priorities at this stage are to concentrate on my married life and help Abdulrahman to accomplish all of his dreams,” said Maha.
Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are small ‘packages’ of genes in the body which determine how a baby’s body forms and functions as it grows during pregnancy and after birth. Typically, a baby is born with 46 chromosome, but one with Down syndrome has an extra chromosome which causes developmental problems.
“This is a very joyous occasion – often we see a child with special needs as someone who will always be a burden on society, actually, the reality is, that is not the case,” Down Syndrome Society chairman Adel Fakhro told the GDN.
“They are wonderful human beings with much to contribute. We are delighted that Abdulrhaman has found happiness and we are very proud of them both.”
Jubilant friends shared the words of late Maya Angelou, American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist, who wrote: “Love recognises no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”
The Down Syndrome Care Centre in Adliya, placed under the society and run by centre director Dr Ahmed Al Ali, has helped more than 600 people achieve their potential since it was set up in 1998.
“We are so proud to see this young man with his bride – it is an indicator that people with special needs are a positive part of our community and can achieve so much,” added Dr Ali.
Opportunities
The society trains its members in various skills that are needed in Bahrain’s labour market and Carrefour is one of the companies offering work opportunities. It snapped up Mr Al Dhaheri who has been successfully working as a store keeper for three years.
The bridegroom was raised at his bustling family home in Hamad Town. His parents have eight other children – five sons and three daughters. He was enrolled at the Down Syndrome Care Centre at the age of 10 and trained hard to master store work during his latter teen years.
His family was overwhelmed with ‘indescribable joy’ by the wedding.
“Thanks to God, we are all happy and we thank the Down Syndrome Care Centre and the Carrefour management – special thanks to Ahmed Al Ali and Dr Eman for all their efforts – clear and conspicuous,” his elder brother Basim told the GDN.
“I call upon all parents of children with Down syndrome to follow the path which Abdulrahman has taken and engage them in the community.
“Abdulrahman – he studied, worked towards getting a job, found employment and is now married – may God’s will bless him with a nice family and children.
“He told us of his desire to get married and to have children and we welcomed it – told him to work for a while more to ensure that he can take up the responsibilities – which he can – and we found him a perfect bride.”
The bride, one of eight children, also hails from Hamad Town. Her father Hamid Al Abdullah was ‘delighted’ too.
“She is very happy,” said family friend and Down Syndrome Care Centre assistant general manager Dr Eman Sayed Ahmed.
Bahrain currently has around 800 people with Down syndrome.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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