Islam Times - Iran Summons Afghan Envoy After Disrespect for National Anthem

Islam Times - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran summoned the Afghan embassy’s caretaker in protest at the discourteous move by the Taliban representative who refused to rise for the national anthem of Iran at a conference in Tehran.

The embassy of Afghanistan’s caretaker was summoned by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Friday after the representative of the Taliban disrespected the national anthem of Iran in the opening of the 38th International Islamic Unity Conference, held in Tehran on September 19.

The director general of the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s second department of South Asia reminded the Afghan caretaker about the unconventional and unacceptable move by the representative of Afghanistan in the Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran.

Deploring the Taliban representative’s action that contravened diplomatic norms, the Iranian diplomat expressed Tehran’s strong protest at the disrespect for the national anthem of Iran.

It is an obvious fact that the guests must respect the host and rise for the national anthems of countries as an internationally-recognized behavior, the Iranian diplomat said, noting that the Taliban’s representative’s move was also in contrast with the goal of participation in the Islamic Unity Conference.

The Afghan embassy’s caretaker, for his part, affirmed Afghanistan’s special respect for Iran.

He said the controversial move was a “personal action” that did not reflect Afghanistan’s views by any means. The caretaker added that he will convey Iran’s protest to Kabul immediately.