Analysis of Saudi Arabia's Legal Actions

In a country where a father and son rape the same

woman morning and night. It has introduced a variety of anti-Sharia Western

initiatives. Liquor is being served, alcohol licenses are being issued. The government

sponsorship funds festivals of hip-swaying dance and song.

Yet in that same country, two have been sentenced to death for embracing

Bangladeshi citizens. I am referring to the Middle Eastern Western-backed

state, Saudi Arabia. Citing Sharia to justify its laws,

this state has officially killed two Bangladeshis, an empire of sin

built by the state. Yet Bangladesh did not get even the slightest hint.

government. After the entire process was over, Bangladesh

has been parroting the phrase, “This is a big lesson for us.”

Saudi authorities allege that, inside the mosque, they were involved in immoral activities:

Bangladeshi citizens Nazrul Islam, Abdul Bashir

and Sweeti Akhtar. But what exactly did the two Bangladeshis do?

And for the crime of which they were sentenced to death,

what is its punishment under Islamic Sharia? To find the answer, not emotion

but the Quran, authentic hadith and Islamic jurisprudence

must be examined.

First, it must be made clear that, in Islam, extramarital intimacy

and zina punishable by death are not the same thing. Surah

Al-Isra, verse 32, Allah says, “Do not go near zina.”

That is, not only zina, but also actions that may lead to it

must be avoided. Extramarital

kissing or hugging is considered prohibited conduct in Islam.

But merely because an act is prohibited, it does not mean its punishment is

death, nor can such a conclusion be reached.

So what is the punishment for zina? In the second verse of Surah An-Nur,

one hundred lashes are prescribed for zina. And based on authentic hadith,

in classical Islamic jurisprudence, the punishment for a married person’s zina

There is a provision for death by stoning. However, this punishment

depends on the nature of the offense, admissible evidence, and judicial

conditions, which are extremely important.

This is where the most important distinction lies. Kissing or hugging

is not equivalent to sexual intercourse. In Islamic jurisprudence, such

conduct does not automatically incur the prescribed hadd punishment for zina.

Depending on the circumstances, a judge may impose ta'zir punishment.

But ta'zir does not mean that, for any offense, any punishment is lawful.

That is not the case. For such acts inside a holy mosque,

at most, a warning or imprisonment could have been imposed.

But taking a life in the name of Islam is a clear violation of Sharia's core

spirit.

Now let us return to the incident in Saudi Arabia. In the heart of Riyadh,

concerts by international pop stars, huge entertainment festivals,

public music events attended by men and women.

These are now part of Saudi Arabia's social transformation. State-run

entertainment initiatives are organizing these events. They are also being promoted

vigorously.

Yet despite talking about Sharia law there, the influential get seven murders

forgiven. Thousands of Bangladeshi women going there for domestic work

have for years been subjected to brutal physical and sexual

abuse. There are even horrific allegations that in the same

household, father and son jointly raped the same helpless Bangladeshi woman.

In Sharia courts, those influential criminals have not been tried

by Saudi authorities.

Meanwhile, to cover up its own failures, Dhaka's administration has begun a damage-control charade.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shamma Mobayed has perfunctorily called this a major lesson.

The Saudi ambassador stationed in Dhaka was summoned and served tea and coffee,

as a token formality of summoning the ambassador.

A note on paper has been sent,

Verbal or diplomatic letter. But the reality is that the state

trampled Article 36 of the Vienna Convention underfoot

and kept our consulate completely in the dark. Whether they

will deem it necessary at all to respond to Dhaka's letter

is the question.

Bangladesh's relationship with Saudi Arabia is important. Millions of

Bangladeshis work there and contribute to the country's economy.

But a good relationship does not mean that questions cannot be raised about

the lives, rights, or legal proceedings of Bangladeshi citizens. Friendly

relations can be maintained while still demanding justice. In fact, that is

the hallmark of responsible diplomacy. Because expatriates are not merely machines for

sending remittances, they are citizens of this country. They, too, have families,

dreams, dignity, and the right to legal protection.