The bachelor who plastered his face on billboards across the country in an unorthodox bid to ‘save him from an arranged marriage’ has revealed hundreds of women have already got in touch following the stunt.
Entrepreneur Muhammad Malik, 29, from Hounslow, west London, has received offers from more than one hundred prospective partners since sharing pictures of himself on advertising hoardings across Birmingham and London on January 1.
The billboards, which show a smiling Muhammad lying on the floor and jokingly begging women to ‘save me from an arranged marriage’, link back to his website ‘findmalikawife.com’.
Speaking after news broke of his unorthodox attempt at finding his dream wife, Muhammad says he has enlisted the help of close friends to help him filter through the responses he has received online.
The singleton has so far refused to reveal how much he has spent on the billboard postings, but the average costs of such advertising in the UK is believed to be around £500-£600 per week, dependent on location.
The hoardings will stay up until January 14, and Muhammad says he has the backing of his parents, despite having to convince his mother ‘a bit’.
He explained: ‘I’m a creative and I love doing the most random and absurd things – as long as they are 100 per cent halal of course.
‘It’s early days but responses thus far have been in the triple digits and from some really lovely people – keep them coming. I’m hoping to get in touch with women I like soon.’
Entrepreneur Muhammad Malik, 29, set up the website ‘findmalikawife.com’ and has plastered his face across several advertising hoardings across Birmingham
Drivers using the A34 can see a smiling Muhammad lying on the floor and jokingly begging prospective partners to ‘save me from an arranged marriage’
Muhammad says he’s received offers from over one hundred women since the billboards were put up on New Year’s Day.
He has also revealed that an unnamed friend initially put him onto the bold idea of advertising his aims in the biggest cities in the UK.
The singleton has taken out similar adverts in Manchester and London but refused to reveal how much he has paid for them.
Would you swipe right for Muhammad Malik?
Location: Hounslow, West London
Age: 29
Current occupation: Innovation consultant and entrepreneur
Interests: Food, religion, ‘good bants’
Ideal partner: Muslim woman in her 20s.
Muhammad Malik is looking for his dream wife, a Muslim woman in her 20s
Speaking on the BBC’s Asian Network, Muhammad explained that despite trying traditional dating apps, he grew frustrated with the ‘lack of ethereal, human connection’ when he was swiping left or right online.
‘It takes a lot of energy swiping left and right, and you almost become immune or this robot,’ he said.
‘There’s that lack of ethereal human connection when we’re talking about the online space.
‘Nothing can really make up for in-person so that’s why I think covid has really resulted in a lack of that human connection.’
Giving his reasons for taking such drastic measures, Muhammad said: ‘Probably because of my personality.
‘I’m a creative and I love doing the most random and absurd things – as long as they are 100 per cent halal of course.
‘Traditional methods such as ‘rishta aunties’ didn’t work for me so thought why not take it to the billboards.
‘After finding my feet in my new work I began looking again after the second lockdown but without luck.
‘I’ve got billboards in Birmingham, Manchester and London – which I thought would increase my chances of finding someone.
‘They have been up since the New Year. A New Year, a new me!
‘It’s early days but responses thus far have been in the triple digits and from some really lovely people – keep them coming.
‘I’m hoping to get in touch with women I like soon.’
Muhammad was keen to stress his search for love was genuine and that he is not against arranged marriages.
He said: ‘I think arranged marriages have a place and tradition in many Islamic cultures.
‘In fact, there are many studies that show that arranged marriages have many advantages.
‘I just want to try and find someone on my own first.’
Muhammad is originally from London, but describes Birmingham as ‘a second home’ thanks to the ‘top quality food spots in the city centre, bustling Alum Rock and the incredible mosques’
Muhammad says he took the unusual approach to find romance after the usual methods of meeting ‘the one’ did not bear fruit
The 29-year-old is also the founder of Towards Faith, an educational organisation that sells books on Islam in more than 11 countries.
The innovation consultant fell on tough times at the start of the pandemic when his freelance work dried up.
At the same time, his relationship with one prospective wife he had been courting broke down as he focused on finding his feet in a new career.
Muhammad now works as a business incubator manager for Nationwide, which likely pays for his billboards that can cost between £500 and £600 per week, depending on location.
But any ladies fearing this might just be a gag can rest assured that Muhammad is seriously searching for a wife to ‘grow our love for each other and Allah’.
Muhammad hopes his big vision will trump anyone opting for dating apps, expert advice or trying to connect through mutual friends or family members.
‘I have been looking for someone seriously on and off for two years I’d say. I began casually searching just before the start of Covid.
Muhammad was keen to stress his search for love was genuine and that he is not against arranged marriages
‘And I actually did find someone and was planning to get married but when the pandemic hit my freelance and consultancy work grinded to halt and I shifted my focus to pivoting my career.
‘I just haven’t found the right girl yet. It’s tough out there’, he explained.
‘I had to get a billboard to get seen!’
His website, findmalikawife.com, details his no-expense-spared search for love.
‘My ideal partner would be a Muslim woman in her 20s, who’s striving to better her deen.
‘I’m open to any ethnicity but I’ve got a loud Punjabi family – so you’d need to keep with the bants. Always personality and faith over anything else!
‘P.S I’m an only child and look after my mom and dad. If this is a deal-breaker I don’t think it’ll work out.’
Muhammad says he took the unusual approach to find romance after the usual methods of meeting ‘the one’ did not bear fruit.
He said: ‘I’m a creative, love doing the most random and absurd – but 100 per cent halal of course – things.
‘Traditional methods such as ‘rishta aunties’ didn’t work for me so thought why not take it to the billboards!’
The word ‘Rishta’ means to propose in Hindi, meaning a ‘rishta auntie’ is essentially a marriage broker who serves as a matchmaker for men and women in her community.
Muhammad added: ‘I’m hoping to find the one. It’s early days but responses thus far have been in the double digits – keep them coming.’
- Would you like to marry Muhammad? Email Jacob.Thorburn@mailonline.co.uk
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