The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Maldives, and the Taliban have joined the chorus of Islamic countries and organisations condemning the Indian government after media officials from its ruling party made controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad.
The six-member GCC—comprising the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain—issued a “categorical rejection” of the remarks, saying it stands firmly against “provocation, targeting or underestimating beliefs and religions.”
The countries that condemned the BJP’s hateful comments toward the Prophet Muhammad:
— Khaled Beydoun (@KhaledBeydoun) June 6, 2022
- UAE 🇦🇪
- Qatar 🇶🇦
- Kuwait 🇰🇼
- Jordan 🇯🇴
- Oman 🇴🇲
- Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
- Pakistan 🇵🇰
- Afghanistan 🇦🇫
- Iran 🇮🇷
- Bahrain 🇧🇭
- Indonesia 🇮🇩
- Maldives 🇲🇻
- Turkey 🇹🇷
The UAE, with whom India recently signed a $100 billion free trade agreement, also released a separate statement saying the comments “contradict moral and human values and principles” and called on India to contribute toward international cooperation in spreading “the values of tolerance and human coexistence.”
Similarly, the undersecretary for Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian Ambassador Amit Narang to underscore that “such statements and incidents do not serve the relations of peaceful coexistence between religious components, and fuel public opinion.” A press release said Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Isa al-Harithi “reiterated the Sultanate of Oman’s adherence to a culture of tolerance and coexistence, confronting hatred and respecting beliefs and religions.”
UAE condemns statements insulting the Prophet in Indiahttps://t.co/sGtQnTNdbA
— وزارة الخارجية والتعاون الدولي (@MoFAICUAE) June 6, 2022
The other four members of the GCC—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain—had already rejected the remarks and called for a public apology. Kuwait and Qatar also summoned the Indian envoys to their respective countries to lodge formal protests.
Despite the countries welcoming the Indian government’s apology and disciplinary measures, however, the comments have fuelled public discontent. In Kuwait and Qatar, for example, several shops boycotted Indian products, including rice, spices, and tea.
Though it appears unlikely, Indian officials will be hoping these developments do not impact energy security, given that 85% of India’s energy needs are met by imports. Its trade with GCC members in 2020-21 stood at $87 billion, a majority of which was attributed to energy imports. In addition, Indians also make up a large proportion of expats in the six countries.
#Statement | The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its condemnation and denunciation of the statements made by the spokeswoman of the #Indian Bharatiya Janata Party (#BJP), insulting the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. pic.twitter.com/VLQwdXuPuq
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) June 5, 2022
Alongside the GCC, Jordan, too, rejected the remarks, calling them “an act that feeds extremism and hatred.” Indonesia, Libya, and Egypt also criticised the BJP officials’ comments.
Likewise, Taliban spokesperson Zabihulla Mujahid urged the Indian government to stop “such fanatics” from insulting and provoking Muslims.
We urge the Indian government not to allow such fanatics to insult the holy religion of Islam and provoke the feelings of Muslims.2/2
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) June 6, 2022
Pakistan, too, summoned Indian chargé d’affaires Suresh Kumar to communicate its “categorical rejection and strong condemnation” of the remarks and of rising communal violence and hatred in India, which Pakistan says is caused by the systemic stigmatisation and marginalisation of Muslims in India.
The remarks have also been condemned by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Pakistani Army.
India has responded by saying: “The absurdity of a serial violator of minority rights commenting on the treatment of minorities in another nation is not lost on anyone. The world has been witness to the systemic persecution of minorities including Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Ahmadiyyas by Pakistan.”
It added that Pakistan is a country where “fanatics are eulogised and monuments built in their honour.” In this regard, it called on Pakistan to “focus” on ensuring the safety of its own minority communities “instead of engaging in alarmist propaganda and attempting to foment communal disharmony in India.”
The Progressive Congress Coalition unequivocally condemns the defamatory and deplorable comments by India’s ruling party Baharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma against the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). pic.twitter.com/xHWjs2hnIo
— Progressive Party of Maldives (@ProgressPartyMV) June 6, 2022
The inflammatory remarks have also been condemned by regional allies such as the Maldives, which said it “unreservedly condemns all and any action that purports to pervert the true nature and teachings of Islam and attempts to demean the holy Prophet Muhammed.” In this regard, it called for “prompt action” by the Indian government.
The outrage from several Islamic countries, including the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation, come after, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma said last Friday that certain aspects about Prophet Mohammed from the Holy Quran could be mocked. Subsequently, the ruling party’s Delhi media chief, Naveen Kumar Jindal, supported Sharma by saying that the Prophet had “married a six-year-old girl and had sex with her at nine years.” After domestic and international calls for action, the BJP suspended Sharma and expelled Jindal from the party.