the first Muslim lesbian couple to get married in
the UK. Rehana Kausar, 34, and Sobia Kamar,
29, made history when they tied the knot in a
register office civil ceremony, then immediately
applied for political asylum after they were wed,
claiming their lives would be in danger if they
returned to their native country. Watched by
their solicitors and two friends, the pair wore
traditional white bridal dresses when they were
married in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The pair, from
the Lahore and Mirpur regions of Pakistan, said
they had received death threats from opponents
in Pakistan – where homoséxual acts are illegal
and considered against Islam. And since news of
their wedding earlier this month spread, the pair
claimed they had even received death threats
from the UK. Before the service, even the
registrar advised the couple to give serious
thought to their decision to marry because of
some Muslims' views on homoséxuality. 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 Kausar said: 'This country allows
us rights and it's a very personal decision that we
have taken. 'It's no one's business as to what we
do with our personal lives. 'The problem with
Pakistan is that everyone believes he is in charge
of other people's lives and can best decide about
the morals of others but that's not the right
approach and we are in this state because of our
clergy who have hijacked our society which was
once a tolerant society and respected individuals'
freedoms.' 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
Kamar, speaking to the Birmingham Mail,
described her partner as her 'soul mate' and said
the two women were deeply in love.
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