Hindu-Muslim Same Sex Couple Break Boundaries and Inspire

Back when inspirational NYC based gay couple Aditya Madiraju and Amit Shah, got married in a traditional Hindu temple, we were wowed by the symbolic breaking of boundaries. However, lesbian couple Anjali Chakras and Sundas Malik took woke, South Asian relationships to new heights. Surprisingly, both of these couples had their romance bloom in New York, the one true home for everyone who feels like an outsider.

The couple experienced their one year anniversary recently, with a photoshoot. This isn’t uncommon, but the difference is, Malik and Chakra’s images went viral. South Asian same-sex marriages are still taboo, even in contemporary society. To add to the controversial nature of their relationship, the two come from completely different cultural and religious backgrounds that have a problematic history of battling with each other.

While Anjali is a Hindu from India, Sundas is a Muslim from Pakistan. These differences have inspired queer South Asian women all over, whether closeted or just curious. And even further, they’re an inspiration for any inter-religion or inter-culture relationship, letting people straying outside convention know that it’s ok to be difference. In fact, your differences can be what bond you together. After all, they say opposites attract.

The women met and currently live in NYC. After months of exchanging discussions about the queer South Asian community and everything else, from Tumblr to Instagram, they eventually decided to meet up in real life. Their first date was at the Empire State Building. Malik, a lifelong New Yorker, rolled her eyes at the touristy nature of the activity, but went along with it because “tickets were free and it was with a pretty girl, so why not?”

Malik is an artist from Pakistan who frequently posts picturesque, dreamy shots of her and bae. Most importantly, they’re authentic. These two radiate love in the purest way. While Malik’s aesthetic and artistic eye is killer, so is that of Sarowar Ahmed, the photographer that captured these two for their one-year milestone.