Massive Muslim protests in Asia after India prophet comments
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Muslims rushed to the streets in massive rallies across Asia, triggered by statements regarding the Prophet Mohammed made by an Indian governing party leader that engulfed the country in a diplomatic storm.
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Muslim activists protest in Chennai, India
After Friday prayers, Muslims rushed to the streets in massive rallies across Asia, triggered by statements regarding the Prophet Mohammed made by an Indian governing party leader that engulfed the country in a frenzy.
Anger has gripped the Islamic world since last week when a representative for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party remarked on the prophet's connection with his youngest wife on a television discussion show.
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Around 20 nations have subsequently summoned their Indian embassies, and the party has reacted by suspending the official and stating that it respects all religions.
Friday witnessed the largest public protests yet in reaction to the uproar, with authorities estimating that more than 100,000 people mobilized throughout Bangladesh after midday prayers.
Crowds in the city yelled chants condemning Modi and advising Muslims to "be careful."
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Members of India's 200 million-strong Muslim minority group demonstrated in many cities, including New Delhi, where a big throng assembled on the steps of the 17th-century Jama Masjid mosque.
Other students at the prominent Jamia Millia Islamia university were seen on social media burning an effigy of Nupur Sharma, the Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson whose statements sparked the outrage.
On Friday, authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir suspended internet access, limited mosque prayer gatherings, and enforced a curfew.
In Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country, around 50 protestors gathered in front of the Indian consulate in Jakarta.
The protest coordinator Ali Hasan told AFP, "The Indian government must apologize to Muslims and they must take strict action against the politicians who made the remarks."
