Uproar after OTV Host, Guest Accused of 'Insulting Quran'

Remarks by an OTV talk show host and his guest about several Quranic verses have sparked controversy in multi-confessional Lebanon.

Commenting on the verse “You are the best nation ever brought forth for mankind,” the head of the Syriac League, Habib Ephrem, said during the show: “What do these words mean? That a nation is better than another nation? It needs interpretation, seeing as all humans are equal.”

The show host, George Yasmine, meanwhile reminded Ephrem of the verse “So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior (if you are true believers).”

Ephrem replied by saying that “there is no equality in all the constitutions of this region, regardless of the various regimes.”

The response to the remarks of Ephrem and Yasmine first came through social networking websites, with some activists accusing them of “insulting Islam.”

Ex-MP Ammar Houry of al-Mustaqbal Movement was also quick to comment on the controversy.

“What Habib Ephrem said is dangerous, rejected and condemned,” Houry tweeted, warning that such statements can “spark sectarian strife.”

“Insulting the Holy Quran is definitely a red line. He should apologize and retract his remarks,” Houry stressed.

Al-Mustaqbal Movement Secretary-General Ahmed Hariri also commented on the remarks in a tweet on Monday.

“To Habib Ephrem and George Yasmine: you have tackled some verses of the Holy Quran during an interview on the OTV station without understanding their profound meanings and sanctity for Muslims. This is condemned and rejected,” Hariri said.