DUBAI: Indian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday warned its countrymen over “Islamophobic” posts blaming Muslims for the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
Taking note of the growing complaints, Pavan Kapoor took to Twitter to say that “India and UAE share value of non-discrimination on any grounds”.
Further warning its citizens living in the Gulf nations, he added, “Discrimination is against our moral fabric and the rule of law. Indian nationals in the UAE should always remember this.”
Kapoor’s response came a day after PM Modi’s tweet that emphasised that “Covid-19 does not see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or borders before striking. Our response and conduct thereafter should attach primacy to unity and brotherhood.”
OIC condemns vicious campaign
The warning to Indian citizens in the Gulf nations came after Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), on Sunday had condemned “the unrelenting vicious Islamophobic campaign in India maligning Muslims for spread of Covid-19 as well as their negative profiling in media subjecting them to discrimination and violence with impunity.”
In another tweet, IPHR, the federation of 57 Muslim nations, urged the Indian government to take “urgent steps to stop the growing tide of Islamophobia in India and protect the rights of its persecuted Muslim minority” as per its obligations under international Human Rights law.
Arab nations speak out
Several prominent Arab nations including a member of UAE’s royal family have expressed outrage at the vilification of Indian Muslims.
Last week, Princess Hend Al Qassimi warned that “anyone that is openly racist and discriminatory in the UAE will be fined and made to leave the country.”