The much hyped wedding of the daughter of India's most wanted man Dawood Ebrahim to the son of Pakistani cricket legend Javed Miandad was held yesterday in Dubai under strict security measures.
The event attracted a large number of journalists to the Grand Hyatt Hotel who hoped to catch sight of Miandad and other guests.
The media was disappointed, however, as they were kept out by security guards.
Reporters were barred from taking pictures in the hotel. The pack of journalists could be seen standing on the lawn of the hotel, at least 100 metres from the main gate of the Grand Hyatt Convention Centre, the venue for the reception.
"No journalist is allowed to enter and no cameras, even for guests, are allowed," said one person in charge of security.
"We have been preparing for the ceremony for the last two days to ensure full security of the guests," he added.
The marriage of Mahrukh Ebrahim and Junaid Miandad was marred by thin attendance. As this report was filed, there were hardly any guests, apart from close relatives and members of the families from both sides.
All eyes were searching for a glimpse of Dawood Ebrahim who according to sources "is not in Dubai and did not attend the ceremony."
The frenzied media corps especially Indian television journalists who had come from India kept their cameras switched on, filming any car stopping at the convention centre doors.
They continued to inquire from hotel staff about the possible names of the guests attending. However, hardly any prominent figures were spotted, much to the disappointment of journalists.
Sources said that the families were already in the hotel rooms and did not enter through the front door.
The event manager at the Grand Hyatt told Gulf News that they had prepared a "lavish buffet" in a specially decorated hall.
"We were asked to prepare a meal for 550 to 600 guests," he said but refused to give details about how much the ceremony cost.
The Indian TV channels have given prominent coverage to the wedding.
Gulf News
