Referring to his recent remarks, Ratan said he had discussed the incident from a narrow religious perspective and, in an emotional moment, said, 'I don't want these sinful bodies to come to Bangladesh'.
TBS Report
19 October, 2026, 03:45 pm
Last modified: 19 October, 2026, 04:16 pm
BNP lawmaker Quamruzzaman Ratan of Munshiganj-3 has apologised and withdrawn remarks he made over the recent execution of two Bangladeshi nationals in Saudi Arabia.
He apologised in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page today (19 October).
Referring to his recent remarks, Ratan said he had discussed the incident from a narrow religious perspective and, in an emotional moment, said, "I don't want these sinful bodies to come to Bangladesh."
He had made the remarks on Saturday night (17 October) on the Star News talk show "Kora Alap" in a discussion titled "Death Penalty in Saudi Arabia and the Failure of Our Diplomacy". His comments drew widespread criticism.
"My comment was completely inappropriate, and I fully withdraw it. I sincerely apologise to the families of the deceased and to our expatriate brothers and sisters for the pain and hurt caused by my remarks," Ratan said today.
"People can make mistakes, and being able to realise a mistake and seek forgiveness is a special blessing from Almighty Allah. I am sorry and apologise for that comment," he added.
Last week, Saudi Arabia had executed the two Bangladeshis -- identified the two Bangladeshis as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar -- after they were convicted of committing "immoral acts" inside a mosque in the holy city of Mecca.
Quoting the Saudi Interior Ministry, Gulf News reported that the court imposed the sentences because of the seriousness of the offence, the violation of the mosque's sanctity, and the circumstances in which the acts were committed.
On Saturday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam told reporters the government had yet to receive detailed official information from Saudi authorities regarding the executions. She added that the news had come as a surprise.
She said the government had sent a formal inquiry to obtain full details, including the identities of the individuals, their backgrounds in Bangladesh, and when they had originally arrived in Saudi Arabia for work.
Yesterday (18 October), Foreign Ministry Secretary (East and West) Dr Md Nazrul Islam also held a meeting with Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah and sought further information regarding the executions.