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Mufti Nasrullah, a 35-year-old Bangladeshi Islamic scholar, has died after being seriously injured in a missile strike in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, while travelling to perform Umrah, his family said on Sunday.
Nasrullah was the son of Maulana Mohammad Ullah of Badrpur Olama Bari in Dhalua union of Nangalkot upazila, Cumilla. He served as academic secretary at Jamia Arabia Rabbeul Ulum Madrasa in Kamrangirchar, Dhaka.
His elder brother, Maulana Ahsan Ullah Badr, said Nasrullah left Bangladesh on Saturday (October 10) with 45 teachers and staff members of the madrasa for an Umrah pilgrimage.
After arriving in Riyadh, Nasrullah completed the boarding formalities for a connecting flight to Jeddah. As the group leader, he was positioned at the front when a missile struck an area about 10–15 cubits ahead of him, leaving him critically injured, according to his brother. He was rushed to a hospital for treatment.
The family lost contact with him following the incident. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Bangladesh Embassy later sought information about his whereabouts, his brother said.
The family received confirmation of his death at around 4pm on Sunday.
The owner of the travel agency through which Nasrullah had travelled subsequently sent the family his death certificate, Ahsan Ullah added.
Nasrullah leaves behind three children. His family has urged the government to facilitate the swift repatriation of his body and ensure appropriate compensation for his children.
His father, Mohammad Ullah, said he had spoken to his son after he reached the airport on Saturday but had received no further communication before learning of his death on Sunday.
Nangalkot Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abu Raihan said he had offered condolences to the bereaved family and pledged necessary assistance to bring Nasrullah’s body back to Bangladesh.