HULU SELANGOR: At 70 years old, with 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Habibah Kassim has found true love again with Muhammad Abdul Wahab.
Love and sincerity have bound Habibah and 81-year-old Muhammad, happily married as husband and wife on December 10.
The marriage thus ended the solitary life of Habibah, who had been living alone for the past 10 years after the death of her husband, Izzudin Wan Mohd.
Sharing her story, Habibah said she met Muhammad when she went to study religion at a religious school (pondok) in Ijok, Kuala Selangor, last Ramadan.
She said Muhammad's status as a religious speaker made her open her heart to accept his proposal.
"After the death of my first husband, I contemplated marriage and set the intention that if I found a partner, they should be inclined towards religion.
"Many people proposed before this, but I rejected them. However, I accepted my husband's proposal with an open heart because I felt that I had found a man I liked, someone I could match with.
"Right from the start of getting to know each other, I have been honest with my children. Initially, it was difficult for them to accept, but in the end, they agreed to this dream," she said when contacted.
Habibah hopes for happiness and a lasting marriage with her husband, mentioning that they are also planning to go to Narathiwat, Thailand, next February for their honeymoon.
"I wasn't nervous on the wedding day; instead, I was very happy.
"I am grateful because I'm no longer alone, and I have a companion at home.
"My husband enjoys walking and has traveled to many places. So, we will spend a lot of time together," she said.
Meanwhile, her third child, Izzudiawaty Izzudin, 44, or Izzu, who is a member of the dangdut group Eva, said she initially disagreed and reluctantly accepted her mother's decision to remarry.
However, Izzu agreed to fulfill her mother's wish for a life partner and happiness.
"My father passed away in 2013 due to a heart attack, and since then, my mother has been living alone. We, her children, invited her to live with us, but she refused.
"As her child, I am happy and pray for my mother and stepfather to be happy, to have good health, and to live longer so they can take care of each other," she said.