After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Malaysia Open is back.
However, observers hope that the meet would not be disrupted as shuttlers from India are expected to feature in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) world tour tournament.
India is scrambling to address a diplomatic nightmare following the controversial comments made by two senior officials of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal – against Prophet Muhammad.
Badminton in India exploded following the historic exploits of its shuttlers in the Thomas Cup last month. India won the prestigious trophy for the first time.
Some of its finest athletes, who have gone on to earn the respect and admiration of many, are expected to play in the Malaysia Open, which will begin on June 28.
Security, however, is expected to be heightened should the players from India feature in the tournament, following the recent controversy.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and work with the relevant authorities and BWF,” said BAM general-secretary, Datuk Kenny Goh.
On June 7, Malaysia unreservedly condemned the derogatory remarks by politicians in India against Prophet Muhammad. The country joins the likes of UAE, Oman, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, in condemning the comments.
The Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, on the same day, said the offensive remarks made by Sharma and Jindal did not represent the Indian government’s stand. In a statement, it added: “We accord the highest respect to all religions.”
Tensions, however, continue to remain high as images and video clips of Muslims being harassed and attacked in India flood social media, inviting a chorus of criticism worldwide.
Critics said the comments made by the duo reflected the deep religious polarisation in India, evident since the BJP was given the mandate to run the country in 2014.
In 2011, the FA of Malaysia (FAM) issued an apology to Chelsea’s Israeli player Yossi Benayoun, and the English club, after fans hurled anti-Semitic slur at Benayoun.
The incident took place during Chelsea’s friendly match with the Malaysian XI in Kuala Lumpur on July 21, 2011.
Malaysia does not have diplomatic ties with Israel and supports the Palestinian cause.
