Islamic scholar, who proclaimed 'Coronavirus is Allah's punishment for China', tests positive for COVID 19

BAGHDAD: The latest report suggests that Iraqi Islam scholar Hadi Al-Modarresi, who stirred up a controversy by stating that 'Coronavirus is Allah's punishment for China', has tested positive for the disease. According to the report, all the members of Modarresi's family have tested positive for COVID- 19.

Iraqi Islamic Scholar Hadi Al-Modarresi, Prior to Being Infected with Coronavirus: The Virus Is a Divine Punishment against the Chinese pic.twitter.com/7NiQki6qBy

— MEMRI (@MEMRIReports) March 9, 2020

“It is obvious that the spread of this virus is an act of Allah. How do we know this? The spread of the coronavirus began in China, an ancient and vast country, the population of which makes up one-seventh of humanity," Modarresi was seen speaking in a video. The video, which went viral on social networking, had invited criticism for Modarresi as several accused him of racial discrimination.

It was another Shia Islam leader Mohammed Al-Hilli who informed that Modarresi and his family have tested positive for the virus.

Unfortunately Ayatollah Hadi Al-Modaressi and some of his family members have been diagnosed with the #Coronavirus

Please remember his eminence and all those with this condition with your Duas

May Allah grant them all full recovery pic.twitter.com/1tUA2IFlqP

— Mohammed Al-Hilli (@malhilli) March 6, 2020