Manama: Kuwait's parliament on Thursday approved the death sentence for anyone who insults God, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) or his relatives.
The amendment to the penal code to stipulate the death penalty was endorsed by 41 lawmakers and opposed by seven, Sabr news site reported.
The endorsement followed heated arguments between those who insisted on the significance of the amendment and those who said that it gave the wrong idea about Islam in general and Kuwait in particular.
Islamist MPs have pushed for the amendment following the emergence of postings by Gulf nationals on social networks that allegedly insulted or lacked due respect to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and his wife Aysha.
The lawmakers said that the use of social platforms should be regulated to ensure that they are not used to undermine Kuwait's social unity and values.
One MP warned that he would expand the issue if the move to amend the law and impose the death penalty were stalled.
Sectarian tension has gripped Kuwait and calls, mainly by liberals, to ease them through open dialogue have been largely ignored.
A writer and columnist, Mohammad Al Mulaifi, was last month sentenced to seven years in jail and a $18,000 fine after he published remarks deemed offensive to Shiites.
A court is yet to decide the fate of Hamad Al Naqi who was arrested in March after he allegedly insulted Prophet Mohammad and his wife in social network postings.
Several Kuwaitis have blamed outside forces for fuelling tension in the country.
