A same-sex wedding ceremony, which is being reported as the first in the United Kingdom to involve a Muslim person, has happened in Walsall in the UK's West Midlands.
Jahed Choudhury, 24, and Sean Rogan, 19, tied the knot wearing the traditional attire of Choudhury's heritage, in a low-key ceremony at the Walsall registry office.
Choudhury told local news site Express and Star that he grew up in an extremely traditional Muslim household to Bangladeshi parents, and very much struggled with the apparent divide between his sexuality and his faith.
He explained that he was a target for relentless homophobic bullying during school, was called homophobic slurs and assaulted. He attempted to "cure" himself of his homosexuality.
Choudhury was also kicked out of the mosque he had attended for 15 years after they became aware that he was gay.
He told Express and Star that he met Rogan at his lowest point - shortly after he had attempted to end his life.
"I'd been viciously attacked by Muslim boys, my mosque told me non-Muslims were not allowed in. I'd tried killing myself, and I then met Sean.
"I was crying on a bench and Sean came over and asked if I was okay.
“He gave me hope at one of my lowest points and he’s stood by me all the way."
“People at the Mosque need to understand about gay people – it’s not wrong, it’s who you are. It’s not a phase. I’ve known I was gay since I was six. I didn’t come out to my parents until I was 16, but you always know."
Choudhury agreed, explaining that his family still believe that his homosexuality is a phase, or a disease.
“I want to say to all people going through the same thing that’s it’s okay – we’re going to show the whole world that you can be gay and Muslim.”
