Image Misleadingly Links Saudi Execution to Bangladeshi Couple

A photo featuring a couple at the Masjid al-Haram, located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, has been widely circulated on social media. Many users claim it depicts a Bangladeshi couple executed for committing 'indecent acts' within the holy site. The claim has been shared by various individuals, including Supreme Court lawyer Shashank Shekhar Jha, who stated, "Saudi Arabia has EXECUTED Newlywed Bangladeshi Couple Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siri Akhtar. Nazrul merely “Kissed his Pregnant Wife's Belly” inside Mecca Mosque (sic)." However, this assertion has been shown to be misleading.

Investigation into the claim revealed that the image actually shows Egyptian influencer Gehad Elbana and her husband Ramzy Mahmoud, taken in 2024. While it is true that two Bangladeshi nationals were executed for reasons related to 'indecent acts' at the same site, the Saudi authorities did not clarify the specifics of the acts nor the method of execution.

To verify the details, a search led to a report by the BBC confirming that a man and a woman from Bangladesh were sentenced to death. However, the report comprehensive did not disclose their relationship or the circumstances surrounding their actions. Following this, the Bangladeshi news outlet Jago News 24 interviewed the father of the deceased man, who clarified that the woman involved was not his son's wife, indicating that they were unfamiliar with each other.

Further examination of official communications from the Saudi Press Agency revealed a statement dated 14 October 2026. This statement confirmed the execution of two Bangladeshi nationals identified as "Nadhir Al Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar" for having committed an 'indecent act' in a mosque in the holy city.

As part of the verification process, a reverse image search revealed that the viral photo was first posted on Facebook on 24 December 2024, with captions identifying the individuals as blogger Gehad Elbana and her husband during a pregnancy photoshoot in front of the Kaaba. Elbana's social media account further supported this, containing similar images posted on 23 December 2024, where she announced her pregnancy, with her husband visible in the video sharing a moment of affection by kissing her belly.

In conclusion, the image that has circulated online is a misattributed photograph of an Egyptian couple and is not related to the recent execution of two Bangladeshi individuals in Saudi Arabia. As misinformation continues to spread, it underscores the importance of verify claims through reliable sources before sharing.

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