In troubled waters: Marriage of choice after conversion of faith
Couple seeks protection from the police and girl’s family.
RAWALPINDI:
A girl who embraced Islam before marrying a man of her own choice has sought the help of court. She fears the wrath of her relatives who she claims would kill the couple.
Saifa* married Imran Waris after both embraced Islam and the couple approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench seeking protection from New Town Police and the girl’s father, brother and other relatives on Monday.
“I married Imran on July 23 after both of us converted to Islam from Christianity on July 22,” said a 21-year-old Saifa in her petition filed through Advocate Muhammad Azam Khan. “My steps have angered my parents and relatives who lodged a false complaint with area police alleging Imran had abducted her,” added Saida.
The girls claimed in her petition that she had contracted the marriage with her choice without any pressure or coercion.
Citing Station House Officer New Town Police, her father, brother and three other male relatives as respondents the petitioner said she wanted to live with her in-laws and have a happy married life but her relatives and area police have been harassing her.
Saifa has attached all the legal documents with her petition showing the couple had embraced Islam, entered into Nikah and recorded her statement before the court of area magistrate asserting she wanted to live with her husband.
Despite the fact that she sent the copies of all the legal documents to the police and her father, the SHO raided the house of her in-laws in Shamsabad locality of the city.
She said they were forced to go underground to avoid the arrest and harassment by the police and her relatives. “I have no other lawful remedy than invoking the constitutional jurisdiction of the high court”, the petitioner added.
She has prayed to the court to direct the New Town police and her father not to harass the couple and her in-laws.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2011.
A girl who embraced Islam before marrying a man of her own choice has sought the help of court. She fears the wrath of her relatives who she claims would kill the couple.
Saifa* married Imran Waris after both embraced Islam and the couple approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench seeking protection from New Town Police and the girl’s father, brother and other relatives on Monday.
“I married Imran on July 23 after both of us converted to Islam from Christianity on July 22,” said a 21-year-old Saifa in her petition filed through Advocate Muhammad Azam Khan. “My steps have angered my parents and relatives who lodged a false complaint with area police alleging Imran had abducted her,” added Saida.
The girls claimed in her petition that she had contracted the marriage with her choice without any pressure or coercion.
Citing Station House Officer New Town Police, her father, brother and three other male relatives as respondents the petitioner said she wanted to live with her in-laws and have a happy married life but her relatives and area police have been harassing her.
Saifa has attached all the legal documents with her petition showing the couple had embraced Islam, entered into Nikah and recorded her statement before the court of area magistrate asserting she wanted to live with her husband.
Despite the fact that she sent the copies of all the legal documents to the police and her father, the SHO raided the house of her in-laws in Shamsabad locality of the city.
She said they were forced to go underground to avoid the arrest and harassment by the police and her relatives. “I have no other lawful remedy than invoking the constitutional jurisdiction of the high court”, the petitioner added.
She has prayed to the court to direct the New Town police and her father not to harass the couple and her in-laws.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2011.