First Muslim Same-Sex Marriage Took Place in Britain Last Month

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Love overcomes persecution in England.

Recently Jahed Choudhury and Sean Rogan married in the town of Walsall, England. This is the first Muslim same-sex marriage. The couple wore traditional Muslim wedding outfits. They had been dating for two years.

First Muslim Same-Sex Marriage Took Place in Britain Last Month[/tweetthis]

Same-sex marriage was legalized in England and Wales in 2013. Scotland legalized it in 2014, but it is still not legal in Northern Ireland. The Muslim Council of Britain, who oversees over 300 organizations, was one of the religious groups who opposed legalization.

There are few openly gay Muslims in England. Mr. Choudhury, 24, has faced a lifetime of bullying and persecution for his sexual orientation. He was even banned from his local mosque which he had been a member of for 15 years.

Choudhury and Rogan met when Choudhury was crying on a bench, considering suicide. Rogan approached him and asked if he was okay. They kept in touch and later became a couple. Choudhury said “He gave me hope at one of my lowest points and he’s stood by me all the way.”

While Rogan is considering converting to Islam, the couple have stated it will be difficult to find a mosque. Since the marriage, both the grooms and their families have received death threats.

The couple, undaunted, says “we’re going to show the whole world that you can be gay and Muslim.”

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