Saudi Arabia Executes Two Bangladeshis: Migrant Worker Abuse & a Hajj/Umrah Boycott

A Bangladeshi father, Fazalmiya, faces tragedy after his daughter, Siti Akhtar, was executed in Saudi Arabia alongside another Bangladeshi worker, Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir. Siti had been sent to Saudi Arabia for work and had been sending money home regularly until communication ceased, leading to the shocking revelation of her imprisonment. The Saudi government announced the executions following a conviction for an unspecified "immoral act," but details surrounding the case remain murky, raising questions about the fairness of the judicial process.

The discussion highlights the broader context of human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, particularly concerning migrant workers. Reports indicate that many domestic workers, including those from Bangladesh and other South Asian countries, face severe exploitation, including physical abuse, wage theft, and lack of legal protections. The sponsorship system, known as kafala, grants employers significant control over workers, often leading to dangerous situations for those seeking to escape abusive conditions.

The episode critiques the Saudi monarchy's efforts to reshape its global image through initiatives like sports and tourism while ignoring the human rights violations underpinning its economy. It calls for a reevaluation of how the international community, including Australia, engages with Saudi Arabia, urging a boycott of pilgrimage spending until substantial reforms are made to protect the rights of migrant workers. The narrative emphasizes the need for accountability and awareness of the human cost behind the kingdom's economic strategies.

Saudi Arabia has executed two Bangladeshi nationals for an unspecified “immoral act” inside a mosque in Mecca. Bangladesh says it wasn’t warned, the families are still seeking answers, and the viral story that they were newlyweds executed for kissing doesn’t appear to be true.

This week on News Weakly, Sami Shah looks at what we actually know about the executions, Saudi Arabia’s treatment of South Asian migrant workers, the monarchy’s expensive effort to rebrand itself through sport and tourism, and why Muslims should consider using pilgrimage spending as political leverage.

If boycotts are supposed to be an ethical tool, why should Saudi Arabia be exempt just because the booking is religious?

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Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster. For more: http://thesamishah.com Theme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul Mottram This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.