TEHRAN, Iran: Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has criticized India for its treatment of Muslims, adding the country to a list of regions where he claims Muslims are suffering.
In a recent post on the social media platform X, Khamenei stated that Muslims cannot consider themselves true believers if they remain indifferent to the suffering of fellow Muslims in regions like Myanmar, Gaza, and India.
He accused the enemies of Islam of attempting to erode the unity of the Islamic Ummah by creating indifference among Muslims regarding shared struggles.
The enemies of Islam have always tried to make us indifferent with regard to our shared identity as an Islamic Ummah. We cannot consider ourselves to be Muslims if we are oblivious to the suffering that a Muslim is enduring in #Myanmar, #Gaza, #India, or any other place.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 16, 2024
Khamenei’s comments also emphasized the importance of supporting oppressed Muslims and upholding the honor of the Islamic Ummah, particularly in Gaza and Palestine.
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He warned that neglecting these duties would be questioned by God, reinforcing his call for solidarity and support.
In response, India’s foreign ministry condemned Khamenei’s remarks as “misinformed and unacceptable.” The ministry criticized Iran for interfering in India’s internal affairs and suggested that Iran should reflect on its own issues before commenting on other countries.
The Indian government emphasized that Khamenei’s comments did not reflect the reality of the situation in India and reiterated its commitment to addressing its internal challenges without external interference.
This diplomatic spat underscores the tensions between the two countries, despite their economic cooperation, including a significant 10-year contract to develop Iran’s Chabahar port. Khamenei’s criticism has added strain to the relationship, particularly in light of past disputes over issues related to India’s Muslim population and the Kashmir region.
