London, July 30 (ANI): Malaysian politicians have said that the Scottie dogs that were used to lead out athletes in the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow were 'disrespectful' to Muslims.
Terriers in tartan coasts embroidered with team names were walking ahead of competitors from each country around the arena last week during Games' the opening ceremony.
Mohamad Sabu, who is the deputy president of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, said that all Islamic countries deserved and apology from organisers, The Independent reported.
Sabu said that this is just so disrespectful to Malaysia and Muslims; especially as it happened during Ramadan. He added that Muslims are not allowed to touch dogs, so the organizer should have been more aware and sensitive on this issue.
Sabu said that it is hoped this incident can teach other Western countries to be more respectful in the future.
Dogs are seen as unclean according to some 'hadiths' and dog trading or owning one as a pet can be considered 'haram'.
A politician from the Malay supremacist group Perkasa, Dato Ibrahim Bin Ali, said that the shameful Commonwealth Games incident had offended Muslims around the world.
A spokesman for Glasgow 2014 said that neither Malaysia nor any other competing country had lodged a complaint against the same, the report added. (ANI)
