Lesbian couple took vows at Leeds registry office earlier this month before immediately applying for political asylum, it is claimed.
Muslim Lesbians Rehana Kausar (left), 34, and Sobia Kamar, 29,
from Pakistan, married in Leeds earlier this month, despite death threats
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Two former students from Pakistan are believed to have become the first Muslim lesbian couple to marry in a civil ceremony in Britain.
Rehana Kausar, 34, and Sobia Kamar, 29, took their vows at a registry office in Leeds earlier this month before immediately applying for political asylum, it was claimed.
Relatives of the couple said the women, who studied in Birmingham, had received death threats both in the UK and from opponents in their native Pakistan, where homosegxwal relations are illegal.
During the ceremony the couple reportedly told the registrar that they had met three years ago while studying business and health care management at Birmingham, having travelled to the country on student visas, and had been living together in South Yorkshire for about a year.
Ms Kausar, originally from Lahore, also holds a master’s degree in economics from Punjab University.
“This country allows us rights and it’s a very personal decision that we have taken. She is my soul-mate and we love each other deeply. It’s no one’s business as to what we do with our personal lives,” she was quoted as telling the Birmingham-based Sunday Mercury newspaper.
“The problem with Pakistan is that everyone believes he is in charge of other people lives and can best decide about the morals of others but that’s not the right approach. We are in this state because of our clergy, who have hijacked our society, which was once tolerant and respected individuals’ freedoms.”
Homosegxwal sex is illegal under Pakistani law. There are also no laws prohibiting discrimination or harassment on the basis of segxwal orientation.
In recent years in Britain, some Muslim gay and lesbian couples have opted for a nikah, an Islamic matrimonial contract, which is officially the reserve of heterosegxwals. These services, conducted in Arabic with additional duas – prayers – are not recognised in the UK unless accompanied by a civil ceremony. Homosegxwality is strictly forbidden in the Islamic faith and the notion of same-sex marriage is abhorrent to many Muslims.
A relative of one of the women told the Sunday Mercury: “The couple did not have an Islamic marriage ceremony, known as a nikah, as they could not find an imam to conduct what would have been a controversial ceremony. They have been very brave throughout as our religion does not condone homosegxwality. The couple have had their lives threatened both here and in Pakistan and there is no way they could ever return there.”
Ruth Hunt, deputy chief executive for Stonewall, said: “There is a very cautious step towards social visibility for some gay men in Pakistan but lesbians are completely invisible. Pakistan is not necessarily a safe place for couples to be open about their love.”
The Home Office said it was unable to confirm any details about their political asylum request.
The pair married at the register office located at Leeds Town Hall. They have lived in South Yorkshire as a couple for a year
Ms Kausar, a master's degree holder in economics from Punjab University (pictured), both came to the UK to study business and health care management
Credit: Independent
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