Islamic scholar who said coronavirus was “Allah’s punishment” for China’s treatment of Muslims, tests positive for coronavirus
The top story is about an Islamic scholar who previously attributed the COVID-19 pandemic to divine punishment has now tested positive for the virus. Prominent Iraqi Shia scholar, Hadi Al-Modarresi, has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, weeks after he made controversial remarks linking the coronavirus to China's treatment of Muslims and Islam.
The 63-year-old cleric, known as one of the most prominent Shia leaders in Iraq, stated in February 2020 that the spread of the virus was an act of Allah due to China's alleged oppression of Muslims. He specifically cited the actions of the Chinese authorities and their treatment of the Muslim population as reasons for the virus being a divine punishment.
In a now-viral statement, Hadi Al-Modarresi claimed, "The spread of the coronavirus ...