Pastor Emmanuel Iren, Lead Pastor and founder of Celebration Church International, has advised Christian women to avoid marrying Muslim men, stressing that spiritual alignment in Christ should take precedence over romance, compatibility, or emotional satisfaction.
In a viral video circulating on social media, the cleric responded to a question from a woman seeking guidance about her relationship with a Muslim man.
The woman explained that her boyfriend was not deeply rooted in Islam and supported her Christian faith, encouraging her spiritual growth and displaying qualities she admired.
However, she noted her parents strongly disliked Muslims and shared that she grew up in a broken home with a pastor as her father.
Using a “shortlet” analogy, Pastor Emmanuel Iren compared marriage to a space designed by God that should not be altered. He cited the biblical injunction against being unequally yoked with unbelievers, emphasising that Christians, described as the temple of God, should not form marital unions that conflict with their faith.
He recounted the story of a woman in Abuja who married a Muslim man she considered loving and respectful, only to later face restrictions that barred her from attending church and required her son to be raised strictly in Islam. While acknowledging that not every interfaith marriage ends this way, he referenced the concept of Takiyah, which he described as permitting deception to advance Islam.
Pastor Emmanuel Iren urged Christian women to prioritise purpose over pleasure, suggesting that choosing a Christian suitor who shares their faith, even if he does not meet all personal preferences, leads to a purposeful home grounded in Christ.
He said, “A purposeful home is more important than a home that has pleasure. How romantic is he? How respectful is he? Is he in Christ? That’s the most important thing. That’s the biblical standard. That’s the covenant of marriage.”
