Finnish national marries Bangladeshi woman in Jamalpur

A 38-year-old Finnish national, Mika Petteri Simola, has married Shantina Jahan Simi, 28, in Sarisabari, Jamalpur, Bangladesh. After converting to Islam and adopting the name Mikail, the man married the daughter of a local tea seller on October 2.

The couple met through a relative living in Finland, eventually developing a relationship via mobile phone and social media. Simi, a widow with a five-year-old son, received the support of her family for the union. Mikail has also embraced Simi’s son as his own.

Following legal procedures and obtaining necessary permits from the Finnish Digital and Population Data Services Agency, Mikail arrived in Dhaka on October 2. The marriage was solemnized by a registered Kazir with a dower of 10 lakh Taka. The couple plans to travel to Finland in the near future once visa and passport formalities are completed.