Stories
Bangladesh Silent as Saudi Arabia Executes Couple Over Mosque Incident
- •A newlywed Bangladeshi couple, Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, was executed in Mecca by Saudi authorities under tazir law.
- •The Bangladeshi government stated they were not informed of the executions until after the sentences were carried out, prompting Dhaka to seek clarification.
- •Unlike Sri Lanka, which successfully reversed a citizen death sentence through diplomatic pressure and public protests, Bangladesh has shown a muted response.
- •Experts note that millions of Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia remit vital funds, making Dhaka hesitant to spark a diplomatic row that could harm bilateral ties.
Key Questions Answered
Saudi authorities executed Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar following their conviction for committing an indecent act inside a mosque in the holy city of Makkah. The court imposed the death penalty under ta'zir, a discretionary form of punishment under Islamic law for offenses without prescribed Quranic penalties.
The Bangladeshi government expressed anger and stated that neither Dhaka nor its mission in Saudi Arabia was informed beforehand about the legal proceedings or executions. Bangladesh formally sought an explanation and detailed information from the Saudi ambassador while managing the diplomatic response carefully to avoid damaging bilateral ties.
Earlier in October 2026, Saudi Arabia overturned a death sentence for a Sri Lankan national convicted over a Facebook post following public protests and diplomatic efforts. In contrast, the two Bangladeshi citizens were executed without prior notification, and while Dhaka sought explanations, it faced criticism for a muted domestic response due to its reliance on economic ties with Saudi Arabia.
