Gulf countries, Muslim institutions condemn India’s insult of Prophet Muhammad

Gulf countries and Muslim institutions have condemned remarks against Prophet Muhammad by a top official in India’s ruling party, with some demanding concrete action to end such acts of Islamophobia.

The remarks by spokesperson for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party last week were blamed for clashes in an Indian state and prompted demands for her arrest, with anger spreading overseas to Muslim countries.

Nupur Sharma made the inflammatory remarks during a TV debate about

Prophet Muhammad.

Sharma was suspended on Sunday as anger spread overseas to Muslim countries.

Saudi Arabia described the spokesperson’s comments as “insulting” and called for “respect for beliefs and religions.”

Qatar demanded that India apologize for the “Islamophobic” comments, as India’s Vice President visited the wealthy Gulf state in a bid to bolster trade.

Kuwait had also summoned India’s ambassador amid widespread calls on social media for a boycott of Indian goods in the Gulf.

Jeddah-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation said Sharma’s remarks came in a “context of intensifying hatred and abuse toward Islam in India and systematic practices against Muslims.”