This time of year, Mecca is usually teeming with millions of faithful Muslims with the intent of performing Umrah. There are the usual sights—men and women covered in their stark white ihrams, prostrating believers filling up the masjids and the roads—but there is something noticeably different this year; the innumerable face masks.

You’ve finally found that special someone—they seem pleasant, caring and you have a lot to talk about.  The conversation flows easily, they make you laugh, and as a plus, your friends love them. One little problem: they aren’t Muslim.  Or Christian, or Jewish, or whatever faith it is that you now practice or grew up with.  Maybe they’re Shiite as opposed to Sunni Muslim, or Catholic as opposed to Protestant.

The dilemma here is:  I don’t share the same faith with this person, but I really connect with them.  What to do?  Do you continue a possible relationship?  What would be the issues that arise from such a decision?  The following are things that both people should think about when contemplating going forward in a relationship: