Saudi Arabia executes two Bangladeshis for sex in Mecca mosque
Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshi nationals, Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar, after they were convicted of having sex inside a mosque in Mecca. The Saudi Ministry of Interior said the pair were arrested following the incident, investigated, charged, and sentenced to death under Ta’zir—a discretionary form of Islamic law—for violating the mosque’s sanctity. The verdict was upheld by the relevant judicial authority and a royal order authorised the executions, which were carried out in the Makkah region.
This case matters to Nigerians because Nigeria has a large Muslim population and many citizens travel to Saudi Arabia for work, business, or religious pilgrimages such as Hajj and Umrah. It underscores the strict enforcement of Islamic law in the kingdom, especially concerning behavior in holy sites, and highlights that consular notifications may not always occur in advance, as the Bangladesh Consulate General in Jeddah said it was not informed beforehand.
If you are a Nigerian planning to visit Saudi Arabia, familiarise yourself with the country’s public decency and religious‑site rules; avoid any conduct that could be seen as disrespectful in mosques or other sacred places. Keep the contact details of the Nigerian Embassy in Riyadh or Consulate in Jeddah handy, and know you can reach them for legal assistance. Also, note that while the Saudi authorities proceeded with the executions, the Bangladesh mission sought formal acknowledgement after the fact, reminding travelers to follow up with their own mission if they encounter legal issues abroad.