We don’t get to see this often, the first gay Muslim wedding has taken place in the UK, as excited grooms Jahed Choudhury, 24, and Sean Rogan, 19, could not contain their joy. The newly wed, who have been dating for two years, tied the knot wearing traditional golden Sherwanis in a civil ceremony at Walsall registry office.
Their relationship was kindled when Sean met Choudhury crying on a bench in Darlaston, and according to Choudhury, Sean has stood by him since then. He told Express and Star: “I’d not long overdosed and I was crying on a bench and Sean came over and asked if I was okay.”
However, Choudhury revealed that being an openly-gay Muslim made him feel like something of a ‘black sheep’ and that he ‘stood out like a sore thumb’ and often felt caged between his sexuality and faith. He further disclosed that he tried to deny his orientation and even took medication and a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.
Eventhough his family were’t present for the ceremony, Choudhury believes the wedding is consequential progress for the Muslim and LGBT communities alike. According to Choudhury: “My family doesn’t want to come on the day, they just don’t want to see it, it’s too embarrassing for them.” Choudhury says that some of his family members defenestrated his sexuality and happy relationship with Sean as a ‘disease’ or a phase.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.”
