MAWI AND EKIN MARRIAGE

In just one breath and a dowry of RM22.50, artiste Asmawi Ani, or Mawi, was officially married to Nora'ashikin Rahmat (Ekin) at the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, here Saturday.

The couple became husband and wife after the akad nikah (exchange of vows) ceremony performed by Imam Datuk Mahad Mohd Said and witnessed by Johor Baru kadi As Syeikh Husni Tamrin Md Sharif and another imam of the mosque, Mahadir Yahya at about 11.40am.

As the popular couple tied the knot at the Sultan Abu Bakar mosque, tens of thousands of Malaysians watched the engagement and solemnisation ceremony and it was broadcast live on Astro Oasis (channel 106) and Radio Era -- making it the second wedding of local artistes to be broadcast live on television in Malaysia after that of Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and Datuk Khalid Mohamad Jiwa, on Aug 21, 2006.

Mawi proposed long-distance on April 30 when he was in Syria filming the travelogue Mawi Di Bumi Anbia.Ekin’s “yes” was immediate — it seemed as if she knew she would be spending the rest of her life with him.Still, their relationship was not without some rough patches as their love became public and vulnerable to media scrutiny.

The 90-minute event, which started at 11am, was the culmination of months of media frenzy over the marriage of the singer, who found stardom after winning the third season of Astro's reality show, Akademi Fantasia.

Earlier, Ekin, who arrived with her parents Rahmat Mohammad and Fatimah Saad, was led into the mosque by the Grand Imam of Johor, Abdul Mutalib Abdul Rahim, while Mawi's delegation was led by Ustaz Abdul Ghani Khamis and 20-member entourage, including his mother, Ramlah Sarlan, siblings and relatives.

The ceremony kicked off with the exchange of pantun in full Malay tradition. It culminated in Mawi placing a diamond ring on Ekin's finger and kissing the forehead of his newly-wedded wife.

Ekin received nine trays of gifts dubbed "Jalur Melati" from Mawi. They comprised RM30,000 dowry in cash, a Quran, a ring, a set of Gucci handbag, a pair of shoes, a wrist-watch, a set of perfume and make-up, a cake and "sirih junjung".

In return, Ekin gave Mawi 11 trays of gifts with a "Blink Pink" concept, comprising a wrist-watch, a pair of shoes, a belt with matching wallet, a praying mat and "songkok", a Quran, a ring, perfumes, cakes, fruits, chocolates and "sirih junjung".

Mawi, who wore a white baju melayu adorned with a pink, green and yellow floral printed songket, and jewellery worth more that RM67,000, perfected the ceremony by completing the lafaz at his very first attempt at about 11.40am.

The winner of the third season of Akademi Fantasia then slipped a ring onto 29-year-old Ekin’s finger and kissed her forehead. Ekin look as the picture of elegance and sophistication in her contemporary gold-embroidered kebaya for the reception, and an off-white Duchess satin gown with Swarovski crystal for the cake-cutting ceremony worth more than RM72,000. Both garments are from Indonesian brand Cosry.

Mawi, 27 and Ekin, 29, had announced their wedding plan at a press conference on Oct 21, and thus ended the speculations about their relationship.

Mawi, who was the winner of a reality-show, Akademi Fantasia 3, was previously engaged to Nordiana Md Naim.

The couple is scheduled to hold their wedding reception later this evening at the Johor Baharu Municipal Council Stadium for 1,200 guests including members of the royalty, VVIPs, relatives, friends and the media are expected to attend the grand ceremony.
Mawi will host another reception at his hometown in Felda Taib Andak, Kulai in Johor on Dec 28, followed by a Middle Eastern-themed reception at Palace of the Golden Horses Hotel in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, on Jan 11.

Speaking to reporters after the akad nikah ceremony, Mawi said he hoped the marriage would last forever.

"We have gone through a lot and Ekin has been so strong even when she was deluged with various allegations," said the groom whose only disappointment on Saturday was the absence of his late father.

The couple had chosen South Korea as their honeymoon destination.

REFERENCE
a)www.nstonline.com
b)www.bernama.com
c)www.thestar.com

Posted by NUR ADILA ANUAR (1080953)