Saudi Lesbian Pair Granted UK Asylum Shares Love Story

Story By:  Ana MarjanovicSub-EditorJoseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

CEN/@nanz201

A lesbian couple from Saudi Arabia where homosexuality is punishable with death have declared their love for each other on TV after the UK granted them asylum last year.

The London-based Saudi women announced their relationship during a Valentine’s Day special on the TV show ‘Jaafar Talk’ which airs on the Arabic-language DW channel.

CEN/@nanz201

During the interview, they talked about how they met and what was like to be different in a country where same-sex relationships can carry the death penalty.

According to Saudi Arabia’s security agency, homosexual relations can be punishable by death under the kingdom’s interpretation of Sharia law.

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The TV show used ‘Fad’ and ‘Nanz’ as aliases for the women because they showed images of their early encounters in Saudi public spaces.

Nanz said she discovered her sexuality during her early teens and first met Fad on messaging app Snapchat.

The Saudi women soon fell in love and managed to maintain a secret relationship before Nanz’s relatives grew suspicious that she was repeatedly knocking back potential suitors.

When travel restrictions on Saudi women were lifted in August 2018, they were reportedly granted asylum in the UK and are currently living in London.

In the UK capital, the couple opened up about their relationship on social media and Nanz’s relatives promptly cut off all ties with her.

Meanwhile, the happy couple is said to be adapting well to their new surroundings and freedom to love each other without fear of death.

Netizen ‘AysarIraq’ commented: Everyone should be free to do what they want.”

‘Tangiroustom’ wrote: “Their bodies and emotions are none of our business. They get to enjoy freedoms granted to them by the universal declaration of human rights thanks to civilised countries that grant them protection.”

‘Mays9325’ said: “In the end, this is their choice, but why do they have to be on TV? I don’t think that is necessary.”

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