A South Korean man has traveled thousands of miles from Seoul to Bangladesh, to marry a 19-year-old Bangladeshi woman from Savar.
The story began about four months ago when Jae Mingi, a young man from Seoul, met Rezbi Akhter Sumaiya, a college student from the Arapara Sabujbagh area of Savar, through an online app.
Their virtual connection soon blossomed into love.
On November 1, Mingi arrived in Savar, where he converted to Islam and adopted the name Arfan Islam.
The next day, on November 2, the couple tied the knot in a traditional Islamic ceremony.
A reception was held on Friday afternoon at a community centre in Savar, attended by friends and family who expressed joy and extended their best wishes to the couple.
Nusrat, a friend of the bride, said: “I feel so happy. Our new brother-in-law is very friendly and gets along well with everyone.”
Another relative added: “He came from another country to marry my cousin. We wish them the best. I’ve always liked Koreans, and I really like him too.”
The bride’s father, Md Rezaul Karim, shared his thoughts on the union, saying: “My daughter told me about a man who wanted to marry her and explained everything. I was initially concerned as he was not a Muslim, but she assured me he would convert. When he spoke to me over the phone, he promised to embrace Islam and come to Bangladesh. True to his word, he arrived on November 1, converted, and we married them on November 2. Today’s event is the culmination of their journey.”
The newlyweds expressed their happiness, with Sumaiya saying: “We first met through an app, became friends, and then fell in love. Today feels incredibly special to me. I’m very happy. He embraced Islam before our wedding, which took place the day after he arrived.”
Guests at the reception wished the couple a lifetime of love and togetherness, celebrating their union that overcame distance and cultural differences.
