Usman Khawaja's fiance opens up about her conversion to Islam
Fiance of Usman Khawaja has spoken out about why she made the decision to convert to Islam.
(Sports Desk) - The fiancée of Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has spoken out about why she made the decision to convert from Catholicism to Islam.
Rachel McLellan, 22, from Brisbane, and her Muslim groom, 31, will tie the knot in what they describe as a big white wedding next month following the cricket season.
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.
And so 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.
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.
Walking away from her Catholic roots, Rachel made the controversial 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.
By sharing their story, the pair are determined to break down the religious and social barriers that still permeate society.
