'Immoral Acts' at Holy Site... Two Foreign Nationals, a Man and Woman, Executed

"Desecrating the Sanctity of a Mosque"... Sentenced Under Islamic Law
Two Bangladeshi Nationals Executed

A Bangladeshi man and woman were executed for allegedly engaging in immoral acts at a mosque in Mecca, Islam's holy city in Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities cited the violation of the sanctity of a religious site, among other grounds for the sentences, but did not disclose what the two had actually done.

On October 15 (local time), foreign media outlets including India Today and the Bangladesh Post reported that Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior had announced the execution of two Bangladeshi nationals, Nazerul Islam Abdul Bashir and Siti Akhtar, in the Mecca region on October 14.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Interior released through the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), security authorities arrested the two on suspicion of engaging in "immoral acts" at a mosque in Mecca. Following an investigation, they were referred to court, which found the charges proven and sentenced them to death.

A crowd gathers at a mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, during the Hajj pilgrimage. Pixabay

The punishment imposed on the two was under the Islamic legal principle of ta'zir. Rather than prescribing a set sentence for each type of crime, ta'zir allows judicial authorities, such as judges, to determine the severity of the punishment at their discretion.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior said the death sentences were handed down in consideration of the seriousness of the crime and the sanctity of the time and place where the acts occurred. In a statement, the ministry said, "We reaffirm our commitment to maintaining security, upholding justice, and strictly enforcing Islamic law against those who violate the sanctity of mosques." It also warned that anyone who commits similar crimes would face severe punishment under the kingdom's laws.

The court ruling was upheld following review by the relevant judicial authorities, and a royal decree authorizing the executions was issued. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior said it would respond in accordance with Islamic law to acts that violate the sanctity of mosques and holy sites. However, the authorities did not disclose the name of the mosque where the incident occurred, the specific details of the alleged acts, or when the two were arrested.

After news of the executions became known, Bangladesh requested an official explanation from the Saudi authorities. The Consulate General of Bangladesh in Jeddah said it had not received prior notification of the executions. The consulate sent a diplomatic note to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to officially confirm the executions and request detailed information about the two people's nationality, the circumstances of the case, and the reasons for the death sentences.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.