Kuwait strips hard-line Shiite activist of citizenship after claims of blasphemy

Kuwait strips Shiite activist of citizenship

CAIRO — Kuwait has stripped a hard-line Shiite activist of his citizenship after accusing him of trying to stir up discord among Muslims.

The Interior Ministry made the decision Monday after Yasir al-Habib called the Prophet Muhammad’s wife, Aisha, an “enemy of God” during an event in London. Such remarks are considered blasphemous by Sunnis, who revere the prophet’s wife as being the most beloved to him.

The Kuwait News Agency reported that al-Habib also has been accused of undermining Kuwait’s national interests and social system and should be extradited from his current base in London to face a trial.

The Interior Ministry says it’s trying to avoid internal strife between Sunnis and Shiites that has been experienced by other countries in the region.