Jihadis Online Accuse India Of 'Declaring War On Islam,' Over Remarks By Hindu Officials Against Islam, Prophet Muhammad

The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here. 

Over the past few days, jihadis have reacted online to the "derogatory" remarks in reference to Islam, Prophet Muhammad, and his wife 'Aisha by two officials in India's ruling Hindu Nationalist party, the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP). News reports said that the BJP had suspended its national spokesperson, Nupur Sharma, and expelled its Delhi media head, Naveen Kumar Jindal, after their comments were met with a chorus of diplomatic anger.[1]

Pro-Al-Qaeda Cleric: India Is Rotten

A Canada-based pro-Al-Qaeda ideologue wrote a post on Telegram describing India as "a rotten, filthy country" that is "subservient to other nations."[2] He insulted Hinduism as a religion, saying that Indians are worshipers of cows and filth."

"The Arabs, especially the Egyptians, used to describe the despicable fool by saying: 'I am an Indian!' meaning an [Indian] is despicable idiot! Look at the filth of their state, its extreme poverty, and its degradation. And today they dare to insult their masters, indeed their masters. No wonder, this is the time of perversion!"

Syria-Based Jihadi Cleric: India Declared War On Islam

A Syria-based jihadi cleric shared a video documenting the BJP spokesman "insulting" Prophet Muhammad. Commenting on the video, the cleric thanked Qatar, Kuwait, and Pakistan for summoning the Indian ambassador and handing him a note of condemnation and protest, adding that Arab and Muslim countries should all expel their Indian ambassadors and Hindu laborers: "You would then see the [BJP] Party [kneel] to kiss the shoes[;] Oh Allah, release our prisoners and our captives, and release our people in India and Turkistan."[3]

Earlier, the user shared a post describing the remarks as a declaration of war on Islam and Muslims, arguing that Hindus are no different from the Shi'ites who disparage the Prophet's wife, Aisha. He further called on Muslims to defend the Prophet.

"India declares war on Islam and Muslims. The extremist Hindu party, worshipers of cows, after abusing Muslims by killing, burning and raping Muslim women, are now cursing the Prophet, peace be upon him, and insulting Aisha with ugly words just like their Rafidah [rejectionist, i.e., Shi'ite] brothers do. There is no good in us if we do not defend the Messenger of Allah. There is no good in us if we do not use our pens to defend our religion, where are you, [Islamic] nation of a billion and a half?!"

Anti-HTS Operative: Qatar Guardian Of Islam

A former Jabhat Al-Nursa memer who runs the anti-HTS Telegram channel shared a statement issued by the Qatari Foreign Ministry demanding an official apology from the Indian government over comments made by two BJP members against Prophet Muhammad.[4]

The user praised Qatar's position, saying that it is "the only remaining country that maintains the basic religious principles and is using its soft power to preserve Islamic sanctities." He also highlighted that Doha had summoned the Indian ambassador and handed him an official objection. Discussing the measures taken by the Indian authorities, he noted that the spokesperson was suspended, adding if he had not been, India would have risked the expulsion of all its ambassadors from Arab and Muslim countries. 

Moroccan Salafi Cleric: Worshiper Of Cows Insults The Master Of Mankind

A Moroccan Salafi cleric called on Indian Muslims to unite their ranks and take action, saying their division allowed the "most despicable people" to insult their Prophet.[5] He said: "The enemy of Allah, the polytheist, the worshiper of cows, insults the master of mankind, may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him. O Muslims of India, unite your ranks, your division has empowered the most despicable and trivial people, so rise above strife, and Allah will give you victory over the polytheistic people."