Thousands of Pakistanis have gathered, and briefly clashed with police, in their country’s capital over the recent statements by two ruling party officials in India who were derogatory of the Prophet Muhammad.
Key points:
- There were calls urging Muslim countries to cut off diplomatic relations with India
- Protesters tried to march on Indian embassy in Islamabad, but were detained by police.
- No one was injured in the melee
They also urged Muslim countries to cut off diplomatic relations with New Delhi.
Fighting broke out between supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Pakistan supporters and police as protesters tried to march on the Indian embassy in Islamabad, but were stopped by police.
No one was injured in the melee.
Anger has been growing in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority nations since last week, when two Bharatiya Janata Party spokespersons from India made comments considered an insult to the prophet of Islam and his wife, Aisha.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party has suspended one official and expelled the other, although he has said he denounces insults from religious figures.
Two spokesmen for India’s ruling party, Bharatiya Janata, commented.
The suspension came after comments sparked complaints from several Muslim countries, including Iran, Qatar and Kuwait.
In Pakistan, Sirajul Haq, the leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, denounced India in a rally on Thursday, local time.
He also called on Islamic countries to boycott Indian products and remind their envoys to show in New Delhi that Muslims will never tolerate insults to Islam and its prophet.
Pakistan and India have a history of bitter relations.
Since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1947, nuclear-weapon nations have fought two of their three wars over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, which is divided between them but claimed by both.
AP / ABC
Posted 1 hour, 1 hour ago, Friday, June 10, 2022 at 8:38 AM, updated 1 hour, 1 hour ago, Friday, June 10, 2022 at 8:41 AM