A Big Fat Iraqi Wedding

Dec. 31, 2007 — -- Eman Jabbar and Luay Rudha's love story has become an example of Iraq's progress. Jabbar, a teacher, is a Sunni, while her new husband is a Shiite.

The couple fell in love in one of Baghdad's most dangerous neighborhoods and waited six years to marry.

"I loved him from the first look," Jabbar said. "I felt he was the one person I could live with."

Rudha, who is a plumber, was unable to get Jabbar's family to agree to the marriage initially. First the war arrived, pitting Sunnis against Shiites. Then, Shiite militiamen killed Jabbar's brother.

Finally, it became so dangerous in the west Baghdad neighborhood, the U.S. military erected concrete walls to separate the Sunni and Shiite areas.

Yet, Rudha's love for Jabbar never died.

"I didn't even ask if she is Sunni or Shiite," Rudha said.

He kept proposing and continued calling, writing and even meeting Jabbar for quick coffee-shop dates.

"The thing I liked most about him was his persistence," Jabbar said.

When the violence decreased this summer, the couple announced their engagement. To the lovebirds' surprise, their families and neighbors were delighted by the wedding.

It seemed to signify that finally things were getting better in their area. Now, coincidentally, the Americans have begun taking down the concrete walls that had been dividing the two communities. So it seemed in the end love conquered all in this against-the-odds pairing.