Mixed response as Smriti Irani visits Madinah 'barred for non-Muslims'
Smriti Irani led a high-level Indian delegation to The City of Prophet (peace be upon him) Madinah, which also included Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V. Muraleedharan, besides others. Read More
Madinha/New Delhi: People are reacting differently as Union Minority Minister Smriti Irani Monday January 08, 2024 visited Madinah al Munawara – The Holy City of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) which is normally barred for non-Muslim visitors.
Smriti Irani led a high-level Indian delegation, which also included Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V. Muraleedharan, besides others, to The City of Prophet (peace be upon him), Madinah, which is Haram al Shareef and visits here are only for Muslims.
"Landmark Diplomacy"
The government media outlets and BJP supporters have termed the Indian delegation’s visit to Madinah al Munawara a ‘landmark diplomacy’, ‘unprecedented visit’ and an 'unprecedented milestone' in the India-Saudi bilateral relation.
“This unprecedented visit marks the first time a non-Muslim delegation has been welcomed to Madinah, underscoring the exceptional nature of India-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations”, the government owned All India Radio reported.
During her visit to Madinah, the Indian delegation led by Smriti Irani and V. Muraleedharan also visited other holy and historic places including Prophet's Mosque (Al Masjid Al Nabwi) in the Markazia area of Madinah, followed by a visit to the historic mountain of Uhud and the Quba Mosque, the first mosque of Islam, according to officials.
"This exceptional gesture by the Saudi side, welcoming a non-Muslim delegation to Madinah, underscores the strength of the bilateral relations between India and Saudi Arabia. As both nations continue to forge stronger ties, this historic visit is poised to contribute significantly to mutual understanding and cooperation in the realm of religious and cultural exchanges", Prasar Bharati, India's Public Service Broadcaster, said.
Hajj 2024 Quota
During the visit to the Kingdom, Smriti Irani also signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 with Saudi Arabia's Minister for Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah in Jeddah.
As part of the Haj 2024 agreement signed between India and Saudi Arabia, a total of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India will perform Hajj this year. Of them 1,40,020 will visit Makkah through the Haj Committee of India. The remaining will perform Hajj through Private Tour Operators.
This is the same Hajj quota for India which was finalized by Saudi Arabia last year.
As part of the visit to monitor and inspect the arrangement of Haj pilgrims and their accommodation in Madinah, the Indian delegation also engaged with Indian volunteers dedicated to serving Haj pilgrims, extending appreciation for their selfless efforts during Haj 2023.
There were widespread complaints of poor services and bad quality accommodation by the Indian pilgrims who performed Hajj through the Haj Committee of India last year.
Apart from the hype surrounding the maiden visit by a high level Indian non-Muslim to Madinah, what good the visit will bring for the Indian Hajj pilgrims will be keenly watched.
"Outrage, Condemnation"
Not everyone however is happy with the visit of the Smriti Irani-led Indian delegation to Madinah – one of the holiest sites for Muslims around the world.
“What is she doing in Madinah just near Masjid al Nabawi? Why are they allowed in Haram Shareef?” a social media user wrote on X formerly known as Twitter.
Smriti irani ko jaana ta ayodhya pohonch gayi madinapic.twitter.com/GicSAcSxOU
— Spidey (@SpideyWeb) January 8, 2024
“Despite Blasphemy of Islam and Prophet by BJP, Smriti Irani was allowed to enter Madinah. Shame on Arabs”, another user wrote.
South Asian Journal, which claims to be a "Voice of South Asian Diaspora & Minorities" on social media platform X linked the demolition of Babri Masjid with Irani's visit to Madinah
"Modi BJP party members who broke Babri Masjid and are openly #Islamophobic anti Muslim and responsible for violence against Muslims are near holiest Islamic places. This is very hurtful to Muslims (sic)", it wrote on X.
Modi BJP party members who broke Babri Masjid and are openly #Islamophobic anti Muslim and responsible for violence against Muslims are near holiest Islamic places. This is very hurtful to Muslims pic.twitter.com/zU4NztyJiX #SmritiIrani -#Madina
— South Asian Journal (@sajournal1) January 8, 2024
"Smriti Irani ko jaana ta Ayodhya pohonch gayi Madina (sic)", another user wrote.
Some Muslims are also angry because Smriti Irani and other female members of the delegation were not in proper dress while visiting the Holy City.
"No wonder it's in the very interest of both countries. BUT the basic orders of Allah must not be overlooked. She's in the holiest place she should have put scarf over her head and covered her front parts as part of Taqaddus and tahereem. It's sort of taking pride in one country's culture and on the other hand skipping the mandatory laws of other", Jamal Nasir, a medical professional, wrote on WhatsApp.
Are non-Muslims barred from Madinah?
The Indian delegation’s visit to Madinah has sparked a debate if a non-Muslim can visit The City of Prophet (peace be upon him).
Amid this debate, a social media user came with an explanation that non-Muslims are barred from entering Makkah, and not Madinah.
“Non-Muslims are allowed to visit Medina, but they are prohibited from entering the fenced area around the Prophet's Mosque. Unlike Mecca, Medina is open to everyone, including non-Muslims”, the social media user wrote.
“Smriti Irani visited 'Periphery of Masjid-e-Nabwi' and not the Masjid Itself”, the user added.
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