Kim Kardashian’s visit to Bahrain to promote the opening of a new Millions of Milkshakes franchise nearly sparked an international incident over the weekend. A local newspaper, called The Daily Gulf News, reported that police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse Islamists protesting Ms. Kardashian’s visit to the Middle East. CNN notes that it has been unable to independently confirm reports that the protesters were tear gassed by police.

Businessman Sheeraz Hasan, the owner of the newly-minted Millions of Milkshakes franchise, thinks that reports of the protests getting out of hand are exaggerated.

“WHAT PROTESTS?? Kim Kardashian loved by the people of Bahrain & wants to return!!” Mr. Hasan tweeted Sunday.

Despite tensions, the star of E!’s “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” enjoyed her time in Bahrain, letting Sheikh Khalifa know that his hospitality was greatly appreciated.

“Thanks Sheikh Khalifa for your amazing hospitality. I’m in love with The Kingdom of Bahrain,” Ms. Kardashian tweeted.

Her tweet was retweeted by Bahrain’s foreign minister.

Not only did the reality TV star appreciate Sheikh Khalifa’s hospitality but she also liked the people of Bahrain and was happy to promote the country as a potential tourist destination for people from the United States wishing to travel to Bahrain.

“I love the girls here; their make up and hair are beautiful,” said Ms. Kardashian, according to The Gulf Daily News. “People from the States should come here because the country and the people are so amazing and welcoming that I am planning to be back here on my vacation.”

The local newspaper reported that about 100 Sunni Salafists protested with banners outside The Walk Bahrain, a local mall where the new Millions of Milkshakes franchise is located, after some MPs tried to block the reality TV star’s visit because of what they said was Ms. Kardashian’s “bad reputation.” One of the protesters reportedly held a sign that said, “Syria receives martyrs while Bahrain receives whores.”

Despite the efforts of hardline Sunni Muslim MPs to block her visit, Ms. Kardashian’s loyal fans made the long journey well worth it for the paparazzi favorite. Thousands of screaming fans attended the event, forking over the equivalent of $1,360 to attend, according to Reuters.

For Danya Al Taweel, seeing Ms. Kardashian was well worth the price.

“We have come here because Kim is an inspiration and we learn a lot from her show,” the 18-year-old, who was at the franchise opening with her sister, told The Gulf Daily News. “The advice that she gives of following our hearts is something we have taken seriously in our lives and our advice to her is always keep following your heart.”

Despite repeated efforts by hardline Sunni Muslim MPs to block Ms. Kardashian’s visit, the motion failed to gain momentum and was not put to a vote.

Is Ms. Kardashian being demonized because of status as a sex symbol or because she recently tweeted, “praying for Israel,” during a flare up in the tensions between the Israelis and Palestinians?

Ms. Kardashian was harshly criticized for her pro-Israel tweet, even though she attempted to halt the criticism with a more neutral-sounding tweet: “Praying for everyone in Palestine and across the world.”

The incident eventually forced her to issue an apology on her blog.

“I want to own up to and explain that earlier today I sent out two tweets about saying prayers for the people in Palestine and Israel and after hearing from my followers, I decided to take down the tweets because I realized that some people were offended and hurt by what I said, and for that I apologize,” she wrote.

Whether protests during Ms. Kardashian’s visit to Bahrain were inspired by her status as a sex symbol or her recent pro-Israel tweet, the reality TV star will always be a favorite target of religious hardliners.