Holy Mosques dismisses viral video linked to executions of two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia
A video circulating on social media after Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshi nationals over an indecent act in a mosque in Makkah has been wrongly linked to the case, according to The Holy Mosques, an account that regularly shares updates from the holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah.
In a post on X on Tuesday, the account said the video being shared with the claim was false and did not constitute evidence of the executions.
Saudi authorities executed the two Bangladeshi nationals on October 14, accusing them of committing an act of indecency inside a mosque in Makkah, Islam’s holiest city.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior, in its statement announcing the executions, identified the two as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar. However, it did not specify which mosque was involved or provide further details about the reported incident.
The ministry also reiterated its 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.
The video, which shows a man and a woman near Al Hajar Al Aswad, or the Black Stone, at the Kaaba, gained traction online following reports of the executions, UAE-based media outlet Khaleej Times reported.
The Black Stone is set into the eastern corner of the Kaaba and is revered by Muslims. Social media captions linked the footage to the indecent act cited by Saudi authorities in the case.
However, The Holy Mosques account rejected the association, stating, “The video being circulated with this claim is false and is not evidence of their execution.”
No statement from the Bangladesh embassy in Saudi Arabia was immediately available.
Bangladesh seeks details from Saudi Arabia
Earlier on Sunday, Bangladesh sought detailed information from Saudi Arabia about the execution, raising the issue with Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah.
On Saturday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said the government had yet to receive detailed official information from Saudi authorities about the execution of a Bangladeshi man and a woman, describing the news as unexpected.
“The execution of two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia serves as a major lesson for us,” she said.
Shama added that the repatriation of the bodies could be arranged after Bangladesh receives a response to its letter.