BBC 5 Live to investigate same sex Muslim marriages

BBC 5 Live will be broadcasting a special show this Sunday (20th February) as a part of its ‘Investigates’ strand looking into same sex Muslim marriages.

The show will feature a female Muslim couple as they about their same sex marriage, in a Muslim ceremony known as a ‘nikah’ – something a number of same sex Muslim couples are doing, often in private, sometimes with an Imam, but sometimes conducted by friends.

The couple will be talking about why they chose this ceremony, their marriage ‘contract’ and why it was important to choose a religious ceremony, rather than a civil partnership.

They also speak about the need to keep their relationship private and the lack of acceptance of same sex couples in Muslim communities. They also talk about a ‘liberal closet’ within the Muslim community, where people are perhaps more willing to accept the gay lifestyle, but would never admit this publicly. Plus their experience of Islamaphobia in the wider gay community.

In addition the team will be speaking to an American Imam who has conducted same sex Muslim weddings in the UK and will also hear more orthodox views why such ceremonies are deemed unacceptable by the mainstream Muslim community.