Doha/New Delhi, June 7 (Representative) Within hours of a meeting with Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu in Doha on Monday, the Qatar Shura Council met to express its strong condemnation of the offensive remarks made by a now-expelled official of the BJP against Prophet Mohammad and noted that the State of Qatar “is expecting a public apology and immediate condemnation of these remarks from the Government of India”.Earlier in the day, the Speaker of Qatar Shura Council, Hassan Abdulla Al-Ghanim, accompanied by three members of the Shura Council, called on Vice President Naidu. The Shura Council is the legislative body of the State of Qatar, with 45 members.Later, the Shura Council held its 31st regular weekly meeting under Speaker Abdulla Al Ghanim. During the meeting, the Shura Council also raked up the alleged instances of “escalation of hatred and abuse of Islam” in India, and the incidents related to banning of hijab in Indian states among other issues.In a statement, the Shura Council said: “At the outset of the meeting, the council expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of recent offensive remarks made by an official in India’s ruling party against Prophet Mohammad.
“The council emphasized the importance of the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s statement, in which it expressed the State of Qatar’s disappointment and total rejection and condemnation to the remarks made by an official in the ruling party in India against Prophet Mohammed, Islam and Muslims, noting that the State of Qatar is expecting a public apology and immediate condemnation of these remarks from the Government of India, as allowing such Islamophobic remarks to continue without punishment, constitutes a grave danger to the protection of human rights and may lead to further prejudice and marginalization, which will create a cycle of violence and hatred,” it said. The Speaker “pointed out that these offenses come in the context of the escalation of hatred and abuse of Islam, as well as the systematic practices against Muslims in India and the restrictions placed on them, especially in light of several recent decisions banning hijab in educational institutions in a number of Indian states, demolitions of Muslims’ properties, and the increase of violence against them.”The Speaker “also called on the Indian authorities to resolutely confront these offenses and all forms of insults against Prophet Mohammad and the Islamic religion, in addition to ensuring the safety, security and well-being of the Muslim community in India – protecting their rights, religious and cultural identity, as well as their dignity and places of worship.”
The BJP on Sunday expelled its Delhi unit functionary Naveen Kumar Jindal for the offensive remarks against the Prophet, and also suspended another official Nupur Sharma for her remarks made during a TV show, and disassociated itself from their remarks. On Sunday, within hours after meeting with Vice President Naidu, the Qatar Foreign Minister Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi had summoned Indian Ambassador Deepak Mittal to convey the Doha’s strong condemnation of the remarks by the BJP functionary. The Embassy of India in Qatar in a statement 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. “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. “In line with our civilisational heritage and strong cultural traditions of unity in diversity, Government of India accords the highest respect to all religions.“Strong action has already been taken against those who made the derogatory remarks.“A statement has also been issued by concerned quarters emphasizing respect for all religions, denouncing insult to any religious personality or demeaning any religion or sect. “Vested interests that are against India – Qatar relations have been inciting the people using these derogatory comments. “We should work together against such mischievous elements who aim to undercut the strength of our bilateral ties,” the Indian response said.