The controversial cleric who caused a diplomatic spat between the UAE and Qatar has denied he has been banned from delivering Friday sermons.
Doha-based Islamic scholar Yousuf Al Qaradawi claims he did not make his usual public appearance on Friday, February 7, because he was suffering from a cold and not because he had been banned by authorities.
He made the claim on social networking site Twitter after rumours began circulating, according to local Arabic daily Al Sharq.
In a sermon three weeks ago delivered at a mosque in Doha and broadcast by state television, Al Qaradawi condemned the UAE as a country against Islamic rule, in light of the Gulf state’s views on Egypt and Syria, which differ from those of Qatar.
Abu Dhabi summoned the Qatari diplomat over the cleric’s comments but later said the neighbouring countries still enjoyed cordial ties.
Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah also insisted the pair remained friends and had strong communication.
Bahrain also condemned the cleric’s comments, describing them as a “deliberate” accusation against the UAE that intended to divide the GCC and “spark sedition” in the Gulf.
“Any affront to the UAE is tantamount to an affront targeting all GCC countries without exception,” Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said, also urging Qatar to crackdown on its residents who offend any GCC state or leader through the media or religious platforms.
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