Russian President Vladimir Putin recited a verse from Surah Al Imran of the Holy Quran, as he called upon Muslim countries to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which has resulted in millions of innocent deaths, and severe infrastructural damages.
The Saudi Arabia-led coalition of Muslim nations is fighting against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, leading to severe food shortages and unprecedented deaths across the war-torn country.
‘You became brothers by His grace’: Putin quotes Koran in appeal for peace in Yemen
READ MORE: https://t.co/imJImqOgOx pic.twitter.com/bZZV1Z8B9e
— RT (@RT_com) September 16, 2019
Putin Invokes Muslim Brotherhood
Addressing a high-level diplomatic moot, co-chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Iran’s President, Hassan Rouhani, Russian President won over approvals by quoting an impactful verse of the Holy Quran.
RT reported that the Russian head of state quoted a verse from Surah Al Imran, which translates as, “And remember the favor of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers.”
Read more: Yemen catastrophe: Hazards of Saudi interventionist policy
Putin’s reference to the Holy Quran garnered the approval of President Erdogan and Rouhani. Citing other Islamic teachings, Putin observed that Islam only regards violence as a legitimate means for struggle in the instance of self-defense.
In a humorous quip, Putin suggested Riyadh invest in Russian air defense systems in order to stay protected against unexpected attacks. He noted that Turkey and Iran had already invested in this technology. President Rouhani and Tayyip Erdogan also criticized the Saudi-led invasion of Yemen, which paved the way for unprecedented deaths during the last five years. They observed that the invasion trigger the utter devastation of the country, which once maintained a geostrategic position in the Arabian Peninsula.
That moment when President #Putin recites this Ayah from the Holy Quran to the #Saudi regime in regards with their aggression against #Yemen! pic.twitter.com/SDYGD9w4T2
— Arabi Souriعربي سوري (@3arabiSouri) September 16, 2019
The conflict in Yemen continues to deteriorate as the civil war refuses to come to an end, and the attacks of the Saudi-led coalition further cripple all hopes of normalcy. The conflict began when a civil war broke out between the Saudi-backed Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi-led government, and the Houthi rebels and the devastation heightened when the Saudis initiated an air war, leading to a full-blown ground invasion back in 2015.
After four years of combat and military confrontation, the Saudi-led coalition has failed to defeat the Houthi rebels. The recent attack on Saudi oil facilities is a prime example of the Houthis’ persistence to fight.
Muslims’ Reaction on Twitter
Russian President reciting the holy verses was a trend on Twitter and Muslims had a lot to say about the event.
Putin= 1
Extremists and Warmongers=0#vladmirputin— Jawad M (@Jawad_M_JJ) September 17, 2019
Putin quoted the Quran a number of times and slammed the Saudi led aggression in Yemen. It must be embarrassing for the Mullahs/Imams who failed to condemn the atrocious Saudi human rights abuses. pic.twitter.com/u7Te9BPY1r
— Praecursator 🇬🇧 🇨🇮 🇵🇸 (@Praecursator007) September 17, 2019
When putin quotes Quran to make KSA understand https://t.co/vm5DhdRPGI
— Mazhar Khetran (@iMazharHasnain) September 16, 2019
The greatest irony:
An atheist President,Putin quotes Quran to ask the Islamic Kingdom of Saudis to stop violence, offer his help to defend Saudi Arabia, if Saudi Arabia buys S400. (To stop Houthi attacks)
— Omair Anas (@omairanas) September 16, 2019
SO Putin masterfully used the Quran to justify a Saudi purchase of Russia's S400 air defense systems.
“The Quran says that any kind of violence is unacceptable, except for one kind of violence, when you protect your people,” Mr. Putin began.
— Hassan I. Hassan (@hxhassan) September 17, 2019
When Putin quotes the Quran yet the muslim rulers are blind/deaf/dumb. https://t.co/YF7IB4QoLM
— NRM (@NRM_zip) September 17, 2019