Arab Anger Over BJP Leader’s Prophet Remarks Grows: Saudi Lodges Protest

New Delhi: Saudi Arabia has joined the list of Gulf countries to condemn the remarks on Prophet Muhammad by two BJP leaders.

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

On Sunday, Qatar, Kuwait and Iran summoned the Indian envoys to lodge their protest.

The foreign ministry in Doha summoned the Indian envoy and handed an official protest letter, which said “Qatar is expecting a public apology and immediate condemnation of these remarks from the government of India”.

Kuwait also summoned India’s ambassador and demanded a “public apology for these hostile statements.”

Iran and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) too have condemned the remarks.

India has said the remarks were made by “fringe elements”. The BJP on Sunday suspended national spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her derogatory comments on Prophet Muhammad during a recent TV debate. The saffron party has also expelled Naveen Kumar Jindal, Delhi BJP’s media in-charge, from primary membership.