Muslim countries reacted strongly to derogatory remarks made against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by the Indian ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s leaders.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iran, and Pakistan took strong exception to the insulting remarks, while citizens in Gulf countries called for a boycott of Indian products.
Qatar, Kuwait, and Iran summoned India’s ambassadors
Qatar, Kuwait, and Iran summoned India’s ambassadors in their respective countries to record protests against derogatory remarks by BJP officials against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Qatar has demanded a public apology and immediate condemnation of such “Islamophobic” remarks from the Indian Government
Kuwait handed over an “official protest note” categorically rejecting and condemning the insulting remarks against the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Islam and Muslims made by one of the BJP officials.
Saudi Arabia also condemned insulting statements and called for respect for religions.
“War against every Muslim,” says grand mufti of Oman
Meanwhile, the grand mufti of Oman, Sheikh Ahmad bin Hamad Al-Khalil, tweeted that the “obscene” comments of the spokesperson of India’s ruling party amounted to a “war against every Muslim”.
Pakistan issues a strong demarche
Pakistan also summoned the Indian charge d’ affaires in Islamabad and issued a strong demarche. In a statement issued today, Pakistan strongly urged the Indian government and the BJP leadership to “unequivocally condemn the sacrilegious comments of the BJP officials and ensure that they are held accountable through decisive and demonstrable action for attacking the dignity” of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Separately, President Dr. Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the remarks made by the BJP leaders.
Dr. Alvi noted that the comments had hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world. “India under [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi’s Hindutva philosophy is trampling religious freedoms of all its minorities and persecuting them without any impunity”.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz tweeted, “… Have said it repeatedly that India under Modi is trampling religious freedoms & persecuting Muslims. World should take note & severely reprimand India.”
Pakistan Army condemns “blasphemous” remarks
Pakistan Army has also condemned the “blasphemous remarks by Indian officials”.
BJP suspends Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal
Meanwhile, the ruling BJP suspended, succumbing to the strong reaction from Muslim countries, reportedly suspended Nupur Sharma and expelled Naveen Kumar Jindal from the party for their remarks.