Scottie dogs in Commonwealth Games opening ceremony 'disrespectful to Muslims', say Malaysian politicians

The dogs were used to lead athletes around the arena in Glasgow

Flag bearer and Cyclist Fatehah Mustapa of Malaysia flies the flag at half mast during the Opening Ceremony for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games (Getty Images sport)

The Scottie dogs used to lead out athletes in the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow were “disrespectful” to Muslims, according to Malaysian politicians.

Terriers in tartan coasts embroidered with team names walked ahead of competitors from each country around the arena last week.

Mohamad Sabu, deputy president of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party said all Islamic countries deserved and apology from organisers, the Telegraph reported.

“This is just so disrespectful to Malaysia and Muslims – especially as it happened during Ramadan,” he added.

“Muslims are not allowed to touch dogs, so the organiser should have been more aware and sensitive on this issue.

"It is hoped this incident can teach other Western countries to be more respectful in the future."

The ultra-conservative Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party is in opposition but aims to establish sharia law.

A 15-year-old schoolgirl’s alleged gang-rape by 38 men was used by the party to argue for the introduction of harsher Islamic penal laws, hudud, earlier this year.

Dogs are seen as unclean according to some hadiths and dog trading or owning one as a pet can be considered haram.

A politician from the Malay supremacist group Perkasa, Dato Ibrahim Bin Ali, said the “shameful” Commonwealth Games incident had offended “Muslims around the world”, the Telegraph reported.

A spokesman for Glasgow 2014 said neither Malaysia nor any other competing country had lodged a complaint.