Manama: Kuwait's government has called for restraint by politicians whose statements could inflame sectarian tensions between Sunnis and Shiites.
The government is determined to adopt legal measures to curb tension, and should be allowed to take appropriate measures, communications minister and government spokesman Mohammad Al Busairi said.
His remarks were triggered by abusive statements made by Yasser Al Habib, a Shiite hardliner who, two weeks ago, made disparaging remarks against Aisha, Prophet Mohammad's wife, in London, where he had fled to avoid serving prison terms in Kuwait.
His inflammatory remarks, made at a special ceremony he held to celebrate the anniversary of Aisha's death, sparked angry reactions from Sunni Islamists who have been putting pressure on the government to take action against him. Some Shiites reacted by demanding appropriate action against Sunni Islamists who criticise Shiites.
The ensuing war of statements, counter-statements and death threats have sent ripples through the country and the government is now attempting to control the situation.
"We hope that the MPs realise how sensitive the situation has become and stop issuing statements that could fuel sectarianism," Al Busairi said after his weekly protocol meeting with Parliament Speaker Jasem Al Khorafi. "Kuwait cannot tolerate more rows."
The minister also urged the local media to appreciate the sensitivity of the situation and refrain from fueling discord, according to Kuwait Times daily.
"The government has started taking measures 10 days ago and it will move forward with them. However, we need to give it enough time to complete these steps. Things will become clearer over the next few days and we hope that everyone realises how sensitive and dangerous statements and counter-statements are," he said.
Al Busairi's remarks came one day after acting prime minister and defence minister Shaikh Jaber Al Mubarak Al Sabah issued a stern warning against inciting sectarian tension in Kuwait.
Sunni Islamist politicians have called for Al Habib to be either extradited from Britain or have his Kuwaiti citizenship withdrawn.
Shiite MPs have called for similar action against Sunni activists, especially Shaikh Othman Al Khamis, whom they accuse of being critical of their faith.
On Monday, Sunni Islamists held a large public gathering in Firdous to press for their demands and speakers at the event warned that they would quiz the prime minister if the government did not take action.
The Islamist Reform and Development Bloc said it would hold the interior minister to account if the government did not honour a pledge to take action against Al Habib.
It said that he should either be extradited from London, be punished in Kuwait or have his nationality withdrawn.
However, Al Khorafi told MPs not to issue provocative statements that incite sectarian tensions and to allow the government to handle the issue. He said the people of Kuwait have always promoted national unity.
Addressing Mubarak Al Bathali, an Islamist activist who allegedly threatened to kill an MP, Al Khorafi said: "You are not living in a jungle, but in a state of law."
Al Bathali was quizzed by state security after he reportedly threatened to kill Shiite MP Hussain Al Qallaf, in a message he posted on YouTube.
The liberal National Action Bloc said in a statement on Tuesday that all people should assume responsibility that Kuwait is free of sectarian problems.
