Parents approval of marriage in islam?

my muslim friend is in love with this iraqi man. he is 30 years old. his family are very strict muslims and dissaprove of her because she doesnt cover and also she does not have much knowledge of islam and because she has done a lot of unislamic things. she did not grow up with proper islamic knowledge. her parents dissaprove of him as well. however, her parents are not practising muslims and do not cover. she wants to start covering and learn more about her religion because she now fears Allah almighty. she wants to become a better person. she and the man love each other very much. he is very religious. she is hoping that by marrying him she will become a better musilm. please help. are they allowed to marry even though both of their parents dissaprove. she is albanian and he is iraqi. they refuse to marry anyone else.