An interfaith relation between a Muslim and Catholic claim, ‘I Knew In My Heart What Was Right And W

labibakarim
Feb 15, 2015
2 min read

Mohammed Rahman a police officer in Digebeth, himself a Muslim and his wife a Catholic have had a successful marriage. Together as a couple they have challenged the social and religious norms to live a happy and healthy marriage.

In the first stages of their relationship they did not face any religious hurdles as they practiced their own beliefs. Rahman said, "there was no problem at all as long as we tolerated and understood each other, that was the main thing".

His parents did not question their choice of marriage, "they are practicing Muslims, and they think that you need to answer your questions yourself. I knew in my heart what was right and wrong.

"The main point of view from their perspective is that they believe in afterlife, therefore they think we need to answer our own questions. They said it is solely my decision on how I will lead my life and the same with my partner. As long as we are good people, and know our principles, values and morals", Rahman said.

His wife has chosen to practice Islam out of her choice after marriage; Rahman’s in-laws still remain Catholic.

Rahman had told his wife that to marry him she would have to be Muslim but she would not have to convert to marry him, however this did not make her practice Islam.

"At first she didn’t practice anything and she did how she felt, but she knew what I liked and not, so she would stay away from those things.

"I told her if at any point she was ever interested in practicing or learning more about Islam I would be more that happy to help. Even though that was to satisfy my condition, whatever she and how she practiced was solely up to her and nothing was forced on her".

As far as religion was concerned in their different faiths, it had never impacted their relationship, as his wife did not particularly follow anything of Catholic.

There was a barrier in language with his wife not being able to speak the home language of

Rahman’s that of which is Bengali.

"She didn't speak Bengali but it didn't hinder her in any way as she would still socialise with them. My parents don't live here anyhow, they live back home in Bangladesh. Whenever we travel there, I am an interpreter’.

They have two boys who have a good understanding and respect between the two families.

"Since my wife started practicing she said she wants the children to follow the path of Islam too. We give our children the teachings and if they choose to follow it is entirely up to them", Rahman explained.

Their children are aware of where his partner and himself had started, and know where they stand.

"The biggest thing for me is that faith is not a compulsion; you can't force someone to follow your faith it has to come from their heart. You give the message.

"Tolerance is a big thing, for me it is the tolerance and understanding".