Saudi Arabia denounces and denounces statement by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, RIYADH – Saudi Arabia has condemned a statement by a spokesman for India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for insulting the Prophet Muhammad. This statement was explained directly by the Saudi Foreign Ministry on Sunday (5/6/2022).

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its condemnation of the statement of the spokesperson of the Indian party Bharatiya Janata (BJP) insulting the Prophet Muhammad SAW and reiterates the permanent rejection of prejudice against the symbols of the Islamic religion, in addition to all personalities religions and symbols,” the ministry said in a statement. Al ArabiyaSunday (5/6/2022).

India’s ruling party BJP eventually suspended its spokesperson Nupur Sharma for his comments on the Prophet Muhammad. The Saudi ministry welcomed the steps of the BJP and reiterated the position of the Kingdom which calls for respect for all beliefs and religions.

The Gulf states of Qatar and Kuwait have summoned their Indian ambassadors. Doha demanded that the Indian government issue a public apology for Sharma’s comments. Sharma said on Twitter that his comments were in response to “insults” made against the Hindu god Shiva.

“If my words have caused any discomfort or hurt anyone’s religious feelings, I hereby retract my statement unconditionally,” he said.

Sharma’s remarks were blamed for clashes in the Indian state and also prompted calls for the spokesman’s arrest in India.

India’s ambassadors to Kuwait and Qatar were also summoned to receive official protest notes for the comments, and Pakistan’s foreign ministry issued a statement condemning the “deeply insulting remark” and BJP’s response.

“This totally unacceptable statement not only deeply hurts the feelings of the people of Pakistan but also billions of Muslims around the world,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

“Attempts at clarification and belated and superficial disciplinary measures by the BJP against these people cannot alleviate the pain and suffering they are causing to the Muslim world,” he added.

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