The blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH) delivered by two spokespersons of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India caused a wave of outrage in Pakistan and other Muslim countries.
Muslims states including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran and Oman summoned Indian envoys to condemn the blasphemous comments by the ruling party’s spokespersons and sought clarification.
‘#إلا_رسول_الله_يا_مودي’ emerged from the Middle East becomes the top trend on Twitter, asking people to choose between Prophet Muhammad PBUH and Indian premier Narendra Modi and 654k tweets have been posted on the microblogging website so far.
https://t.co/zAooXhj7wZ pic.twitter.com/GmPhyl4tVP
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) June 5, 2022
I condemn in strongest possible words hurtful comments of India’s BJP leader about our beloved Prophet (PBUH). Have said it repeatedly India under Modi is trampling religious freedoms & persecuting Muslims. World should take note & severely reprimand India. Our love for the >
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 5, 2022
We strongly condemn the completely repugnant & derogatory remarks by BJP officials about our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH. Totally unacceptable; hurting sentiments of billions of Muslims around the world. Time for intl comm to stop the ‘Hindutva’ inspired Islamophobia in India https://t.co/JZmmPLyQwx
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 5, 2022
Strongly condemn and reject the totally unacceptable derogatory remarks by BJP officials about Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This has deeply hurt sentiments of Muslims in Pakistan, India & across the world.
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) June 5, 2022
The nationals of Arab states lodged strong protests against the hurtful comments by the BJP officials. Boycott campaigns against Indian products have been launched in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait. Departmental stores are also asking people to boycott Indian products.
Following the global outrage, the BJP removed the spokespersons. Moreover, protests also erupted in India among Hindus and Muslims in different cities of India.
According to reports, the removal of BJP spokespersons was made at a time when the demand for a boycott of Indian products on Twitter was gaining momentum in the Arab world and was becoming a trend on Twitter.
Police fired tear gas and used batons to disperse the crowd, whereas, dozens of protestors were arrested.
The Qatari foreign ministry said in a statement that it welcomed the removal of BJP officials but called on the Indian government to issue a public apology.
The Grand Mufti of Oman also appealed to boycott the Indian products and gave strong reaction against the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.
Other Muslim states have also condemned the BJP spokespersons’ derogatory remarks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Summons the Indian Ambassador and Hands Him an Official Note on Qatar’s Total Rejection and Condemnation of the Remarks of an Official in the Ruling Party in India Against Prophet Mohammed#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/rp7kMnWXdu
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) June 5, 2022
Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its condemnation and denunciation of the statements made by the spokeswoman of the Indian Bharatiya Janata Party, which insult the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.” pic.twitter.com/dmZ65RinGR
— Haramain Sharifain (@hsharifain) June 5, 2022
Ahead of the Iranian Foreign Minister’s first-ever trip to New Delhi next week, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Indian ambassador to Tehran over what state media called “insult against Prophet of Islam in an Indian TV show”.
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) June 5, 2022