Dubai: A news report and a matrimonial website changed his life.
When Gulf News reader Mansour Riaz was preparing to celebrate his 31st birthday on September 9, 2009, he didn't know that his future life partner would chance upon a report about the day.
When the Dubai Metro embarked on its first journey, Gulf News published the report on Riaz sharing his birth date with that of the train's launch. At the same time, his parents, who were seeking a suitable bride for their son, posted his profile on a matrimonial website.
A family residing in Dibba, Fujairah, recognised his picture when it appeared in the newspaper.
Riaz said: "I was fortunate enough to be a member of Gulf News Reader's Club, which is why my opinion along with a photograph was published. A family in Fujairah … saw my profile on the matrimonial website and identified me from the Gulf News report."
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The prospective bride, Mariam Bilal, said: "My sister-in-law arranged everything. She saw his profile and decided to contact him."
A few meetings later, love bloomed and the couple are now engaged to be married in April.
