Can a cross-cultural relationship work?

I would like to hear some people’s opinions and maybe some advice on a very hard situation I find myself in at the moment.
Let me start from the beginning....
About 4 months ago a new guy started at my work. As his supervisor I had to train him in his new role. As we worked together, there was an instant attraction and “spark” between us. We began txting each other, firstly about work, and then on a personal level. We laugh and we joked and our relationship grew. As both of our feelings began to become clearer, it was obvious there was more than just friendship between us.
From the very beginning of our relationship, he has always been 100% honest and open with me. He is Kurdish and moved to England 5 years ago with his family. I am White/English. We are both in our early to mid 20’s. As he is Kurdish and I am English, he has always been honest with me that his family would not be happy about our relationship. Without going into too much detail, his family believe that it would be best for him to marry a girl from his own culture and religion (Muslim). As I am neither, this is a BIG problem for them. For him, it is not a problem, but he is very close to his family and feels he has to choose between them and I. I do not want him to fall out with his family over me, but my heart feels like it is breaking.
We tried to keep our relationship a secret, but as it became obvious that we loved each other, we realised there would be no future for us if he continued to lie to his family.
Last night, he told his family about us, and obviously, they are not happy at all. He explained to them that we are in love and very happy, but they forbade the relationship and told him that he must concentrate on his studies (he is a part-time student) and should be with a girl from his own culture and with a girl who is Muslim.
He obviously does not want to fall out with his family (and neither do I want him to do that), so we have both agreed that we should be friends. Last night, as we talked about this, we were both in tears on the phone. I have had one previous long term serious relationship, and I loved my ex boyfriend, but I have never felt love like I feel for this current guy. We have not had sex as he does not believe in sex before marriage, and he knows about my past as a westernised girl, and this has not been a problem for him.
I know that some of you might think that 4 months is not a long time, but I can’t deny what my heart and head are telling me....that he is my soul mate. Before, I have always been very cynical of love, and have been completely blown away by our relationship. We never argue and I have never lied to him. We have always been open and honest from the very beginning, and he has been with me.
As it is now, I feel like I must always have him in my life, as a friend or otherwise, but it angers me that because we are from different countries and of different religions, we cannot be together. I have always believed that it does not matter where a person is from or what their religious beliefs are.....a person is a person, no matter what.
Since yesterday he has constantly told me how sorry he is, and that he loves me and misses me... but that he must respect his family’s wishes. I have come to understand that his family would completely disown him if he continued in a relationship with me, but I know how happy we are when we are together. I am worried neither of us will ever feel happiness about this again. Please do not think I am a young and naive girl, as I’m not. I am a clever and educated person and so is he.... but we both just happen to be in love. I know he feels the same as me, if not worse because no matter what he will be disappointing people he cares about... either me, or his family :( [/SIZE]

Middle Eastern Men will date and have sex with white women, but they will not marry them.
It depends on how far you want to bring the relationship. Culturally you are very different,
and once the novelty wears off, there is really very little compatibility. Of course there
are exceptions. It depends on the individual. But understand that in their culture,
cheating and beating is acceptable for men.

My goodness....What a very narrow minded and stereotypical view.
If you would like to fully read my question, you will see that I explicitely stated that we have NOT had sex. He has shown nothing but respect for women and treats me brilliantly. Trust me, I have met plenty of slimeballs in my past, and he is not one of them.
I'm not an idiot....there is no "novelty" here. Just genuine feelings.
Sorry if this reply seems a little quick-tempered... but this is the person I love who you re talking about cheating and beating women just because he is from a certain part of the world, so you can understand why I'm a little defensive

You know what and as I speak, his family are probably already looking for him a Muslim bride. Why? Because his parents will want him to get over you verrrrry quickly and they will think that a Muslim bride is the solution.

These men will rarely if ever, put YOU first. Which is what makes them a total waste of time. And if they do marry you, you have to convert to Islam first and to be accepted!!! Actually and if he loves you that much, I'm surprised that he didn't ask you to convert.

Been there, done that and I know what I'm talking about and I learned a lot in regard in regard to Islam, the culture, etc....and you sound 'exactly' like me and 3 years ago, when I got entangled with one of these guys also, in that I'd thought I'd found my soulmate too, etc, etc, etc.....

And to Kauis...it's kinda nonsense and to say that we may not find ourselves very compatible. Despite there being huge differences, differences are what can make it all the more interesting. And differences aside, what you have is two human beings in a relationship who otherwise get along really well and they can fall in love.

And men from different races, cultures are capable of cheating on and beating women and they do! So it's daft to single out these men solely and say they are cheaters and beaters....not all are.