“I converted to Christianity for him”

Pascal: When I went into the military, a colleague sent me a Snapchat account and told me that I should add it.

Sewing: I was new in Switzerland and felt lonely because I didn’t know many people. This mutual colleague had often told me about Pascal, so I wanted to get to know him. But it wasn’t about setting us up.

Pascal: I wasn’t looking either. Still, I added her on Snapchat. We started writing, talking about everyday life and often talking on the phone. I found her pretty and attractive, but nothing more.

Sewing: For me he was clearly in the friend zone, more was out of the question for me.

Taissir initially kept the relationship a secret from her strict religious parents.

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After weeks of writing back and forth, the four of Pascal and Taissir met with their colleague and his friend.

Sewing: I really wanted to get to know him in person, but I was very scared and very nervous. Completely in vain, because at first I thought he looked really good, but that quickly disappeared. Because: I found him annoying. He talked a lot and it overwhelmed me.

Pascal: I was very nervous and that’s why I talked so much. I liked her very much.

Are you in a relationship and you both have different religions?

Sewing: As the day went on he gave me so much attention that I started to like him.

After the meeting, the two continued to write to each other a lot, but initially still on a friendly basis. Pascal was the first to notice that there was more.

Sewing: I was unsure of what I wanted and felt. At the time, my parents wanted me to concentrate on work. I was forbidden to meet him. Having a boyfriend is not viewed well in Tunisian culture, so I hid him. But I knew it would be a decision between family and him because he wasn’t from my culture – I was playing with fire.

So she pushed him away. They didn’t see each other for weeks and barely had any contact. Then they met by chance and the feelings were back.

Pascal: After a few more meetings, I gathered up the courage and asked her if she wanted to be my girlfriend. I knew from the start what I was getting myself into.

Sewing: We only saw each other a few hours a week; more was impossible because my parents were so strict. Over time it just became too much for me. Then I began to delve intensively into Christianity. I felt at home there, so I converted from Islam to Christianity, broke contact with my parents and moved in with Pascal.

How do you convert to Christianity?

Nicolas Mori, Head of Communications for the Reformed Church Canton of Zurich says: “There is no defined process when it comes to converting to Christianity, but you can join the Reformed Church very easily, regardless of whether you come from another religion, as a non-denominational person or as a former member . You simply contact a pastor to have a conversation, who will then formally initiate your entry. If you don’t want an interview, you can also fill out the entry form directly. We have around 300 church admissions per year, but we don’t systematically record where people come from.”

Pascal: Her religion was never an issue for me; I am a Christian myself, but not a strict believer. It was always important to me that Taissir did what felt right for her.

Sewing: I wanted to lead my own life. And in this case that meant a decision against my parents and Muslim culture. I would have liked it to be different, but it wasn’t right the way it was. Of course I’m still sad today and struggle with it, but otherwise I would have been broken by it.

Although she misses her family, she says it was the right decision.

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Pascal: It was immediately clear to me that no matter what, I would stand by her side. Of course it was difficult at first, especially because living together happened so quickly. We had only seen each other a little and barely knew each other, but the whole situation made us stronger.

Sewing: And his family has become my family. Looking back, we can say that everything went much better than expected. We are totally happy and I am incredibly glad that we met.

Pascal: We have had many downs and yet here we are today because that has brought us even closer to each other. The heights are then even more beautiful and I look forward to everything that is to come.

Do you also have an exciting, special or particularly beautiful love story? Then let’s take part in it. Write them at the bottom of the form. If you want, you can of course remain anonymous.

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