Indian cricket team pacer Mohammed Shami faced an unwarranted controversy after he was criticized for not observing Roza (fast) during the ICC Champions Trophy game against Australia. Shami’s consuming of an energy drink during the game, which came after the beginning of the holy month of Ramzan, became a popular topic of discussion on social media. The visual led Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, said national president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, to call Shami a “sinner” for the deed.
Shami has had the backing of many people online over the issue since the argument started. Even ex India spinner Harbhajan Singh pleaded that religion and sports not be mixed.
Among this controversy, famed lyricist Javed Akhtar also advised Shami.
“Shami saheb, don’t give a damn to those reactionary bigoted idiots who have any problem with your drinking water in a burning afternoon at a cricket field in Dubai.” They have absolutely no business with it. You are one of the top Indian team members that is making us all proud. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Best regards to you and our whole team.
Don’t bother about those reactionary bigoted fools who have any issue with your drinking water on a hot afternoon at a Dubai cricket field, Shami saheb . It is not their concern here. You are one of the great Indian team that is making us all proud—best regards.
Earlier on, the cleric had commented: “From the perspective of Shariat, he is a lawbreaker; he should not have done this at all.”
Shahabuddin remarked Shamu was seen drinking something from a bottle on the field in a game against Australia on Tuesday in a video. He suggested Shami observe the legal code of Shariat.
All Muslims have an obligation to obey the rules of Shariat. Islam requires fasting. Razvi said: “By Islamic law, anyone who deliberately does not maintain a fast is regarded as a sinner.
Playing cricket is fine; Mohammed Shami needs to uphold his spiritual obligations. He added, I tell Shami to respect his religion by obeying Sharia’s laws and being responsible.