The criticism directed at Mohammed Shami by a Muslim cleric for not observing a fast during India's semi-final match against Australia has sparked a debate on the intersection of religion and professional sports. Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi condemned Shami for skipping the fast, calling him a "criminal" and arguing that it was a sin to miss Roza without a valid reason. His remarks drew mixed reactions, with some religious figures opposing his stance and defending the cricketer.
Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli, a scholar and executive member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, countered the cleric’s argument by citing Islamic scriptures. He pointed out that Islam allows travelers to skip fasting during Ramzan, emphasizing that Shami, being on an international cricket tour, had a legitimate exemption.
Shami’s family also dismissed the controversy, urging him to ignore such distractions and focus on the Champions Trophy final. His cousin Mumtaz expressed disappointment over the remarks, stating that many Pakistani cricketers had also played without fasting. Similarly, Shami’s coach, Mohammed Badruddin, defended him, stating that national duty comes first and that religious debates should not overshadow an athlete’s contribution to the country.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar also weighed in, asserting that religion should not be linked to sports. He praised Shami’s dedication, stating that if the bowler believed fasting would affect his game, he wouldn’t be able to sleep at night. Pawar also highlighted Shami’s crucial role in securing multiple victories for India, arguing that Muslims across the country take pride in his achievements.
India’s semi-final victory against Australia further underscored Shami’s significance in the team. After winning the toss, Australia batted first and set a target of 264 runs. Shami led India’s bowling attack with a stellar performance, taking three wickets for 48 runs in his 10-over spell. His efforts helped restrict Australia, enabling India to chase down the target successfully and advance to the final.
This is not the first controversy to surface during the Champions Trophy. Earlier, Congress national spokesperson Shama Mohammed criticized Indian captain Rohit Sharma for his physique, calling him "too fat for a sportsman" and the "most unimpressive" captain following India’s match against New Zealand. The statement faced backlash, as Sharma remains one of India's most successful captains.
Amid these debates, Shami remains focused on his performance as India prepares for the final on March 9, undeterred by religious or political controversies.
