Section 7.2: A Muslim Girl in Love with a Jain in Canada

Section 7.2: A Muslim Girl in Love with a Jain in Canada

Tabassum says:

I am a Muslim girl and in love with a Jain boy. We have been together for about 2 years and plan on getting married soon. He is a good kind hearted and understanding boy who is well established. I am still in college finishing my degree.

I am not too worried about what others have to say about my relationship as we live in Canada. However my parents may not fully agree to my marriage, his parents are pretty open minded and simple people who live in India.

My only worry is his family. I have not met them yet and do not know the extent of how they will react to a Muslim bride. My boyfriend’s parents mean a lot to him and he means a lot to me.

I would like to know what it means to marry into a Jain family? We had spoken about religion and neither of us is too religious. Sometimes I feel that it may change as I am only 21 and I may adopt Islam at a heavier capacity. I know we love each other and that will not change, so I don’t see the need of waiting. —Tabassum

Tabassum added:

Thank you very much for your (Admin’s) response. We plan on living here in Canada as he has a well-established job here and I will soon have one after I am done college. We plan on doing a court marriage with a small party for our friends and few family members.

A few years down the road we plan on visiting India to meet his family. He plans on doing a Jain wedding in a temple for his family. I do respect his family and religion and don’t mind doing that for him, however keep in mind I have no intention of converting.

In that case I have lived here in Canada with my mom for a few years. I believe that she won’t be too reluctant of our relationship as she has known about us for a while and done nothing to stop us. As for my dads’ family they are a bit more religious, and I am not sure how they will take the news. He is living in a Middle Eastern country. I hope that he will eventually come around. He is my father and means the world to me. I want to have his blessing as well.

On the matter of our children I would obviously like them to follow my religion but they will also be their father’s children. He says it wouldn’t matter as much as they will be born in a Western country and have their values. However, I would like to think that I would give my children more than just Western values. We plan on letting them decide what they feel is right in their heart when the time comes.

As for the rest we both plan on practicing our own religions. He says love is a universal language and that it does not matter what region we come from. I really hope that religion does not become an issue down the road for us, as we are very happy together! —Tabassum