'Love came once we were married'

Arranged marriages are back in the spotlight. Home Secretary David Blunkett's declaration that British Asians should marry here, at home, rather than seek spouses abroad has caused a furious reaction. The stereotypical view of arranged marriage is that the bride and groom are forced together, never meet before their wedding day and are trapped in a loveless marriage. But today's young Asian Britons say that's a misconception. Their version of marriage is "approved" rather than "arranged", and is based on choice, consent and family involvement.

Londoners Faiza and Rehan Kahn, for example, were born and brought up in the UK. Faiza, 28, did an economics degree at University College London and is a chartered accountant. Rehan, 30, a product manager for a telecoms company, studied criminal psychology at the University of Westminster.

The couple married with the approval of their families in July 1998 and live in Motspur Park, south London, with their one-year-old son, Yusuf.

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