Seeking Understanding: Was My Ex Right About Our Differences?

Assalamu alaikum everyone, I'm reaching out because I'm trying to make sense of my recent separation from a Muslim brother’s perspective. I'm not here to argue or criticize Islam-I genuinely want to understand. I'm a 28-year-old Filipina-Indian Christian sister, and my ex-husband (we had a nikah) is a 22-year-old Indian Muslim. We recently parted ways, and he said it wasn't because he stopped loving me. He insisted his feelings were still there, but he believed we weren't compatible. Here’s what he told me: * Since I'm Christian, he said his family would only fully accept me if I embraced Islam. He didn’t want me to change my deen just for his sake. * His mother knew I was older, and she apparently didn't approve of the age gap. He mentioned that in his culture and religion, it's not common for the husband to be younger. * He felt our daily lives didn't match. When I first moved to Dubai, I did visit some beach spots and evening venues-just to explore the new city. I'm not someone who stays out late; I truly enjoy trying new halal restaurants, cozy cafés, traveling, and seeing new places. I had already decided to step away from those outings out of respect for him, but he still saw our lifestyles as worlds apart. * He's currently without work and would often say a man is only valued when he can provide. He felt he had "nothing to offer" me. In our time together, I never burdened him about money. I didn't ask for lavish gifts or support. I understood he was young and still finding his footing. I didn't even get a simple birthday note-I mean, does a heartfelt letter cost anything? Looking back, I realize I was silently letting go of my own desires. I wished he'd plan more outings, be more attentive, remember special days, and grow more self-reliant. I kept quiet because I knew he already felt insecure about his job situation, and I didn't want to dent his dignity. When we separated, he told me: > "You deserve someone who can give you the world because you're an incredible woman. That man just isn't me-not right now." So now I'm left pondering: From a Muslim brother's perspective: * Was he being practical and mature by ending things? * Are deen and family acceptance truly such heavy matters for many Muslim Indian families? * Do you think his love was real, but he saw no future for us? * Or does it seem like he wanted out and used these points as a way out? I'm not here for anyone to tear him down. I still hold respect and care for him. I'm just trying to grasp his side because my love was deep, and I'm wrestling with why love alone couldn't hold us together. JazakAllah khair for reading.