Killed for kiss in mosque? Secret Saudi execution of Bangladeshis sparks outrage

A Bangladeshi migrant worker, Nazrul Islam, 22, was executed in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, more than three years after he was detained by Saudi authorities. Islam was executed alongside a woman on October 14. The Saudi Interior Ministry stated that the pair were convicted of committing an “indecent act” inside a mosque. However, the nature of the act was not specified. Bangladesh authorities indicated that Saudi counterparts had shared records showing the two were detained in August 2023 for crimes, including adultery, though no mention of death sentences appeared in those documents. The Saudi ministry noted that the death sentence was awarded under ta’zir, a discretionary form of punishment in Islamic law where judges determine the offense and the sentence. Nazrul Islam Basir hailed from Birampur village under Sultanpur union of Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila and was the eldest among four siblings. He left for Saudi Arabia on November 10, 2022, and worked as a cleaner in the kingdom. He and a young woman named Sweety Akhtar were reportedly arrested by Saudi police over allegations of an “immoral act” at a mosque in Mecca. He spent about three years and three months in detention, according to his family. His mother, Rahima, said that Nazrul spoke to the family on calls every Sunday while he was in prison. She said the family was not notified in advance of his execution. Nazrul’s family has urged the government to investigate his execution and bring his body home at state expense. Brahmanbaria Deputy Commissioner Md Abu Sayeed said the administration had received no instructions regarding the matter, and the family had not submitted any application. If the body is returned to Bangladesh, officials would assist according to the rules, as Nazrul was a resident of Brahmanbaria. Confidential consular memoranda and prisoner records suggest that Nazrul and Sweety were detained in Saudi Arabia in August 2023 under separate allegations, with cybercrime cited in one case and adultery in the other. Saudi prisoner records did not mention death sentences, even though Saudi authorities announced the executions on October 14. The Saudi Interior Ministry stated that the two were executed after being found guilty by a court of committing indecent acts inside a mosque in Mecca. There is growing concern over the lack of transparency surrounding the case, particularly regarding the nature of the alleged offenses, the fairness of the trial, and whether Bangladesh was informed beforehand. Outrage has emerged following the executions, which have raised questions about the alleged crimes, the opacity of the legal process, and whether Dhaka was informed in advance and could have intervened to save the couple. Saudi Arabia is known for its high usage of capital punishment, with Human Rights Watch reporting at least 356 executions in 2025, mostly for non-violent drug-related offenses. Despite statements from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman suggesting restrictions on the death penalty to murder cases, the country still applies it broadly. The two Bangladeshis were sentenced to death under ta’zir, a category of Islamic law allowing judges discretion in determining punishment. Their sentences were reportedly upheld by judicial authorities, followed by a royal order authorizing their execution in the Mecca region. This marks the second case involving foreign nationals receiving death sentences in Saudi Arabia, with a previous instance involving a Sri Lankan immigrant whose conviction was later overturned due to diplomatic intervention. Little clarity exists regarding the exact nature of the alleged crime committed by the two Bangladeshis. Reports initially suggested they were kissing in the mosque, while subsequent speculation pointed to a forehead kiss. These claims remain unverified, and the Saudi authorities have provided minimal information beyond confirming the executions. The two individuals identified by Saudi media as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar were accused of committing “immoral acts” inside a mosque in Mecca. Details about the alleged acts, the timing of their arrest, or the conduct of their trials have not been disclosed by Saudi authorities. Social media speculation suggests the two were a couple engaged in a romantic act, but such claims are unconfirmed. Prothom Alo reported that Nazrul’s family disputes these allegations. Nazrul, the eldest son of Abdul Bashir and Rahima Begum, was from Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila in Chattogram Division. He moved to Saudi Arabia in November 2022 and worked as a cleaner at Mecca’s Masjid al-Haram. His family told Prothom Alo that he was arrested eight months later and remained in prison until his execution. Relatives said they last spoke to Nazrul on October 11. Three days later, they received a call informing them of his execution. His 65-year-old aunt, Abeda Begum, fainted upon hearing the news and died shortly afterward. Nazrul’s family stated they had not received any prior notice. His father, Abdul Basir, who worked in Saudi Arabia for 24 years, claimed his son was not given a fair trial and called for justice if the execution was unjustified. Nazrul’s relatives and friends questioned the allegations, describing him as polite and well-mannered. His cousins, Mostakim Bhuiyan and Imam Hasan Bhuiyan, told Prothom Alo that he had a dispute with a Pakistani co-worker and suspected the individual had conspired against him. His friend Rahat Bhuiyan also expressed doubts about the accusations.