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Syrian Couple Who Chose to Get Married in War-torn Homeland: 'We're Not Afraid of Terrorism and ISIS'

  • Veronica Neffinger

    Veronica Neffinger wrote her first poem at age seven and went on to study English in college, focusing on 18th century literature. When she is not listening to baseball games, enjoying the…

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  • Updated Nov 24, 2015

A Syrian couple decided to get married in their war-torn homeland to show the world that love is stronger than violence and terrorism.

Christian Today reports that Radwan Bizar and Fian Ayub are from Kobani, Syria. They met when Bizar, a 30-year-old journalist, came to the center for women’s empowerment where the 22-year-old Ayub worked.

The couple quickly fell in love, but trouble was not far behind. ISIS terrorists began bombing their hometown.

The couple waited out the attacks in Turkey. Some friends and family members recommended they get married while in Turkey, but both Bizar and Ayub were firmly resolved--they wanted to be married in their homeland.

“No matter how beautiful the world cities and countries are, for me the country and city I was born and brought up in... is the most beautiful place," Ayub shared. "Despite the devastation, destruction, war and terrorism ... true happiness is only in your homeland.”

Bizar echoed Ayub’s sentiments: “We always refused even to think about getting married in Turkey… To get married in your country is a sense of dignity and pride.”

And so, when the attacks on Kobani ceased, the couple returned. In an NBC.com video of the couple’s wedding, the smiling Bizar and Ayub provide a stark contrast to the rubble and destruction all around them.

“We are the people who love life, who love to live despite all the destruction and devastation," Bizar said. "We're not afraid of terrorism and ISIS. We decided to get married here and we will stay here. We're not leaving.”

Publication date: November 24, 2015