Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed, who gained notoriety for her now-deleted post that fat-shamed India men's cricket team captain Rohit Sharma, has now addressed the controversy surrounding fast bowler Mohammed Shami's designation as a "criminal" for failing to fast during India's Champions Trophy semifinal match against Australia. A small number of social media users started berating the cricket player for failing to keep "Roza" when images of Shami drinking an energy drink during the game went viral.
President of All India Muslim Jamaat calls Shami criminal
Later, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, the president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, stirred up controversy when he called Shami a "criminal" for not fasting throughout the holy month of Ramadan.
"One of the compulsory duties is roza… If any healthy man or woman does not observe roza, they are a big criminal," he said.
Supporting Shami, Shama claims that because the Indian cricket player is traveling, he is not required to fast.
"In Islam, there is a very important thing during Ramzan. When we are travelling, we don’t need to fast (Roza), so Mohammed Shami is travelling and he’s not at his own place. He’s playing a sport where he can be very thirsty. Nobody insists that when you’re playing a sport, you have to fast…It is your deeds which are very important. It (Islam) is a very scientific religion," Shama Mohamed told news agency ANI.
Shami's family comes out in his defence
Meanwhile, Shami's family, including his cousin brother and childhood coach have come to superstar pacer's defense after Maulana's absurd comments. In an exclusive conversation with Sports Tak, Shami's cousin brother Mohammed Zaid lambasted the Maulana and said that the Muslim cleric is trying to gain TRP out of this.
'Shami is playing in Dubai. During Ramadan, you have to stay hungry for a long time. It's a long journey where you can't eat anything, in that case fasting can be skipped. So, this is a big issue. But the Maulana wants to gain TRP by what he said. We are people who are ready to sacrifice for the nation," Zaid told Sports Tak.
Meanwhile, Shami’s childhood coach, Badruddin Siddiqui also hit back at the Maulana.
"Whatever the Maulana is saying is not for the country. In our religion, if you are sick, you cannot keep a fast. You can keep it later. He is playing for the country. In such cases, the country comes first, and everything else comes later," Badrudding said.
"The Maulana is not supporting the country. Your country is playing the final, and you are making such a statement. By doing this, you are demoralizing Shami. You cannot make such foolish statements. You have no right to do so. He is playing international cricket, not a club match. Shami has done nothing wrong. We, along with the entire country, stand with him. A few Maulanas do not matter. We are with you. Fight your battle and move forward. Nothing is more important than the country. Keep your fast, pray. All of this is for you. But when it comes to the country, you must do it for the country first. God is watching everything," he added.