Congress leader Shama Mohamed has defended India’s star pacer Mohammed Shami after he was criticized for failing to observe ‘Roza’ (fast) during the sacred month of Ramzan while playing in the Champions Trophy.
Shami, who was spotted consuming an energy drink during India’s semi-final match against Australia at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, was at the center of a religious controversy when All India Muslim Jamaat President Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi branded him as a “criminal” for not fasting.
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Responding to the outcry, Shama Mohamed vigorously defended Shami, pointing out that Islam permits exemption from fasting on special occasions, including travel.
“…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 said to ANI.
Maulana Bareilvi Denounces Shami
Meanwhile, Maulana Bareilvi also denounced Shami, accusing him of breaking religious duties, as fasting is an obligatory duty for all healthy Muslims. “By not keeping ‘Roza’ he (Mohammed Shami) has committed a crime. He should not do this. In the eyes of Shariat, he is a criminal. He will have to answer God,” Maulana Bareilvi declared.
He also 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.”
Religious Exemptions for Players
Islamic beliefs permit exemptions from fasting for individuals who are ill, on the move, or engaging in heavy physical exertion. Most players choose not to fast during matches to be at their best physically.
The controversy notwithstanding, Shami is keen on India’s Champions Trophy run, providing strong performances with the ball. The controversy rages on, but the pacer’s agenda remains helping India succeed in the tournament.
