SYDNEY: Rachel McLellan, fiancΓ©e of Australian
cricketer Usman Khawaja has spoken out about
why she made the decision to convert from
Catholicism to Islam. click here to watch ππππ
The couple, Rachel McLellan, 22 and her Muslim
groom Khawaja will tie the knot the next month,
discussed everything in an interview to from their
unlikely relationship to racism on the cricket field
and Ms McLellan’s decision to convert to Islam last
year.
Rachel McLellan has opened up about her decision
to convert from Catholicism to Islam to marry
Pakistan-born batsman – who became the first
Muslim to ever play cricket in Australia, she loves.
Leaving behind her Catholic roots, Rachel made
the decision to convert to Islam last year.
Appearing on 60 Minutes, to be aired on Sunday
night, the bride-to-be admitted she believed the
misconceptions of the faith before she met
Khawaja.
Rachel was not forced as she made the decision on
her own to convert to Islam last year.
“I felt no pressure from him, not any pressure
from his family. I just knew it was so important to
him,” she said.
‘Ussie was the first Muslim I’d ever met,’ Rachel
said, adding; “I was very ignorant around Ussie, I
will admit to that. I only listened to what I had
heard on the news. All I read was well, terrorists
and awful things.’
The Pakistan-born batsman – who became the
first Muslim to ever play cricket in Australia –
said his faith has always come first in his life,
adding that it came as a surprise when he fell in
love with the Catholic school girl.
Despite trying to challenge the stereotypes of the
religion, Khawaja said the pair have faced
outrage since going public with their relationship.
Khawaja proposed to his then-girlfriend – who
was born into a devout Catholic family – during a
romantic New York holiday in July 2016.
As their relationship blossomed, the batsman said
he never put any pressure on Rachel to switch
religion for him – and insisted the decision was
entirely hers to make.
‘I never was going to put a gun to Rachel’s head
and say you have to convert,’ he said.
‘I told her I would prefer her to convert but she
has to do it on her own. Unless it comes from you,
comes from the heart, then there is no point doing
it.’
By sharing their story, the pair seemed determined
to break down the social barriers that still
permeate society.
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