Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshi nationals in the Mecca region on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, after a court convicted them of committing an "immoral act" inside a mosque in Mecca, the kingdom's Interior Ministry announced. The announcement named Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, both Bangladeshi nationals, and has drawn international attention to the severity of the punishment handed down for a morality offence.
What the Interior Ministry Said
According to the ministry's statement, security authorities arrested the pair after the incident and launched an investigation. The case was then referred to a competent court, which found them guilty and sentenced both to death under ta'zir — a discretionary punishment under Islamic law. The court cited the seriousness of the offence and the violation of the sanctity of the place and the time in which it was committed as reasons for the death sentences.
The ministry said the verdict was upheld by the Appellate Court and the Supreme Court, after which a royal order was issued to carry out the sentences. The executions were carried out in the Mecca region on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
In its statement, the Interior Ministry reaffirmed the Saudi government's commitment to maintaining security, upholding justice and enforcing Islamic law against those who violate the sanctity of mosques or commit offences against the honour of others. It also warned that anyone committing such acts would face punishment under Sharia.
Dhaka Says It Was Not Informed
The executions have also raised a diplomatic question. The Bangladesh Consulate General in Jeddah said it had not been notified of the executions beforehand and had formally sought acknowledgement of the matter from the Saudi authorities.
"The consulate was not notified by the ministry beforehand. In this regard, we have submitted a note verbale to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, requesting formal acknowledgement of the matter."
A consulate official shared the note verbale detail with Dhaka-based The Daily Star, as reported by The Week. The lack of advance notice has added a diplomatic dimension to a case already drawing global scrutiny.
The Takeaway
The Mecca mosque case underscores how strictly Saudi Arabia polices conduct around its holy sites — and how little room for leniency exists once a ta'zir death sentence survives every level of appeal. Whether the international scrutiny and Dhaka's diplomatic note lead to any change in how such cases are handled remains to be seen.
Music in this post's reel: Kevin MacLeod - Hitman (incompetech.com), licensed under CC BY 3.0
Sources
- Dhaka Tribune: Two Bangladeshis executed in Saudi Arabia
- The Week: Saudi Arabia executes Bangladeshi couple over 'immoral acts' inside a Mecca mosque
- Khaleej Times: Saudi Arabia executes two for indecent act inside Makkah mosque
- Hindustan Times: Bangladeshi duo executed in Saudi over 'immoral act' inside Mecca mosque