Pakistani couple makes history by celebrating their wedding at Lincoln's Inn

Tariq Butt / Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: A British Pakistani couple has made history by celebrating their wedding at the honourable society of Lincoln’s Inn — the alma mater of Pakistan’s founder Muhamamd Ali Jinnah.

This is the first in the nearly 600 years old history of the Lincoln’s Inn that a Muslim Pakistani wedding utilised the full services of the Inn and was allowed permission to organise the wedding day in their traditional Pakistani ways.

There is a special context as to why the groom Burhan Faisal and the bride Kiran Younis were allowed to tie the knot at this historic place. Burhan Faisal is the third generation in the family to be published as a barrister by the society of Lincoln’s Inn. His mother was published as a barrister by Lincoln’s Inn in 2002. His grandfather Chaudry Arshed Ali, who is currently practicing as Supreme  Court Advocate in Pakistan, joined the Inn in 1970.

For the family to celebrate the wedding at Lincoln’s Inn has been a dream come true for both religious and nationalistic reasons.

Burhan said that along with Lincoln’s Inn own history which goes back to more than 1422 what is significant for Muslims and especially Pakistanis is that The Inn recognises Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as one of the greatest law givers to human kind.

There has always been a genuine appreciation of Islam by the honourable society of Lincoln’s Inn. The founder of Pakistan Quad-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was published a barrister by this Inn in 1896.

"Since childhood I have felt association with this place. This place holds prestige and history and it appreciates our religion and one of its pupils went on to create a separate homeland for millions of people. I am overjoyed that I was able to connect with the history on my big day.”

Burhan’s mother Barrister Zill-e-Huma said that by joining the society of Lincoln’s Inn she thought that perhaps she would have placed her steps on footsteps of Quaid-e-Azam.

"It was my dream for my son to start his professional and personal life from this honourable society of Lincoln’s Inn and today I have accomplished it. We must keep our connections with this historic place where possible professionally and personally. I have become the first drop of rain.”

Bride Kiran Younis, a medical professional, beamed with joy on her big day and why it became unusual and special in a surreal way. She said: "Our wedding is the first Muslim Pakistani wedding to be celebrated with full services of Lincoln’s Inn but we are hoping it not to be the last. I couldn’t hide my excitement when Burhan’s mother told me that she had decided to make it extra special for us. The venue is a magnificent choice and a reflection of Burhan's mum taste "stated by Barrister Nazar Mohammad, Head of Legis Chambers.”

Around 150 guests were in attendance at the wedding. They were served with zam zam water and dates as wedding favours. The Great Hall was lit by the live recitation of the Holy Quran to open up the ceremony. The bride wore traditional Pakistani long wedding dress. Burhan Faisal practises law at a central London law firm.