NEW DELHI: The national president of All India Muslim Jamaat, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, on Wednesday criticised cricketer Mohammed Shami after a video of him drinking an energy drink during the Champions Trophy semifinal match against Australia in the UAE went viral, even as the Muslim community was observing Ramadan fasting.
In a video shared by news agency ANI, Razvi stated, “One of the compulsory duties is ‘Roza’ (fasting)…If any healthy man or woman doesn’t observe ‘roza’, they will be a big criminal. A famous cricket personality of India, Mohammed Shami had water or some other beverage during a match.”
Highlighting that Shami was physically fit to play, Razvi further said, “People were watching him. If he is playing, it means he is healthy. In such a condition, he did not observe ‘Roza’ and even had water…This sends a wrong message among people.”
“By not keeping ‘roza’, he has committed a crime. He should not do this. In the eyes of Shariat, he is a criminal. He will have to answer God.”
‘Religion should not be mixed with sports’
NCP-SCP MLA Rohit Pawar came out in support of Shami, asserting that the Indian cricketer prioritises his performance over fasting. Pawar stressed that religion should not be intertwined with sports and highlighted that the Muslim community takes pride in Shami’s accomplishments.
“While representing the country, if Mohammad Shami feels that his performance might get even slightly affected due to fasting and what if something happens, then he will never be able to sleep. He is a hardcore Indian who has made the team win many times. Religion should not be brought up in sports. If you ask any Muslim person today, he/she will say that they are proud of Mohammad Shami,” Pawar stated.
Executive Member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli, defended Shami, stating that fasting is compulsory for Muslims, but there are exceptions.
‘Nobody has a right to raise a finger on him’
“It is compulsory for all Muslims to observe roza, especially in the month of Ramazan. However, Allah has clearly mentioned in the Quran that if a person is on a journey or not well, they have the option not to observe Roza. In the case of Mohammed Shami, he is on a tour, so he has the option not to observe Roza. Nobody has a right to raise a finger on him,” he said.
Shami delivered an impressive performance, conceding only 27 runs in his first seven overs. Utilising his experience, he outfoxed Australian batters with variations in speed, line and length, finishing with figures of 3/48 in 10 overs.
