Prophet Remark Row: Outrage In Gulf Nations Over Comments By BJP Leaders, India Retorts | Key Points

The first reaction on Sunday came from Qatar at a time when Vice President Venkaiah Naidu was on a three-day visit to Qatar.

BJP supporters (File Photo: ANI)

New Delhi: In an ongoing row over controversial remarks of a BJP leader Nupur Sharma against the Prophet Mohammad, several countries including Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain and Afghanistan condemned the leader's remarks. Islamic countries have expressed their protest over the remarks of two BJP leaders on the Prophet Muhammad, Qatar, Kuwait and Iran today summoned the Indian embassy and conveyed their objection. Calls are being made in many places on social media to ban Indian products. 

Here's how gulf nations reacted to BJP leaders’ communal remarks:

Qatar

The first reaction on Sunday came from Qatar at a time when Vice President Venkaiah Naidu was on a three-day visit to Qatar.

On Sunday, Qatar's foreign ministry summoned India's ambassador to Doha, Deepak Mittal, and handed over an official note of Qatar's response.

In a statement issued by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, strong displeasure was expressed over the controversial statement of the leader of India's ruling party.

A spokesperson of the Indian Embassy in Doha said that the Ambassador had a meeting in the Foreign Office in which concerns were raised with regard to some offensive tweets by individuals in India denigrating the religious personality, reported news agency PTI.

“Ambassador conveyed that the tweets do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India. These are the views of fringe elements,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson of the Indian Embassy in Doha said “strong action has already been taken against those who made the derogatory remarks”.

“In line with our civilisational heritage and strong cultural traditions of unity in diversity, Government of India accords the highest respect to all religions,” the official added.

Kuwait

Kuwait condemned the statement and demanded a public apology. It has been said on behalf of Kuwait that such statements increase extremism and hatred.

Iran

According to the news channel Iran International English, the Foreign Ministry of Iran has called the Indian Ambassador in Tehran and expressed its protest.

In the meeting with the Iranian Foreign Ministry's Director-General for South Asia, the Indian envoy "expressed regret & said any insult against Prophet of Islam is unacceptable & this doesn't reflect the position of Indian gov't, which has shown the utmost respect for all religions."

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has condemned the remarks made by Nupur Sharma on Prophet Mohammad. According to Saudi Arabia's Dialogue Committee SPA, the Ministry of External Affairs criticised and publicly condemned Nupur Sharma's remarks, saying, "it insulted Prophet Mohammad".

The ministry reiterated its "permanent rejection of prejudice against the symbols of the Islamic religion."

Pakistan

Pakistan on Monday said it has summoned the in-charge of the Indian High Commission to register its protest against the controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammad.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday also condemned the "hurtful" remarks against the prophet of Islam.

"Pakistan Armed Forces strongly condemn blasphemous remarks by Indian officials.The outrageous act is deeply hurtful and clearly indicates extreme level of hate against Muslims and other religions in India," the Spokesperson Pakistan Armed Forces tweeted.

OIC

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), an organization of 57 Muslim countries, has objected to the matter of statements against the Prophet.

The OIC said in a tweet that the General Secretary of the organisation strongly condemns the insult made about the Prophet by an official of the ruling party of India.

India’s stand

The Indian Embassy in Doha on Sunday reacted after Qatar's outrage over Nupur Sharma's controversial statement on Prophet Mohammad. At the same time, the Ministry of External Affairs has also responded to the statement of OIC on Monday.

“Ambassador conveyed that the tweets do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India. These are the views of fringe elements,” a statement from the Indian Embassy read.

“In line with our civilisational heritage and strong cultural traditions of unity in diversity, the Government of India accords the highest respect to all religions. Strong action has already been taken against those who made the derogatory remarks,” it added.

It further said a statement has been issued by the Indian government emphasising the country’s equal respect for all religions. “Vested interests that are against India – Qatar relations have been inciting the people using these derogatory comments,” it added.

India has responded to the opposition of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), amidst the controversy that started after BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma's statement on the Prophet.

India has described the statement of OIC as "unwarranted and narrow-minded comments".

The statement issued by India said, "The offensive tweets and comments denigrating a religious personality were made by certain individuals. They do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India".

Bagchi said, "It is regrettable that OIC Secretariat has yet again chosen to make motivated, misleading and mischievous comments. This only exposes its divisive agenda being pursued at the behest of vested interests".