'Sending wrong message': Cleric slams 'criminal' Shami for ignoring roza
What's the story
A Muslim cleric has slammed cricketer Mohammed Shami for not fasting during India's semi-final match against Australia in the Champions Trophy.
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, the President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, called Shami a "criminal" for drinking water and juice during the match.
The cleric said, "In Islam, fasting is a duty... If someone deliberately skips the fast, they are sinners."
Statement
'He will have to answer God'
He said if any healthy man or woman doesn't observe roza, they are criminals.
"Mohammed Shami had water or some other beverage during a match. 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," he told ANI.
"By not keeping 'Roza,' he committed a crime...In the eyes of Shariat, he is a criminal. He will have to answer God."
Coach's defense
Shami's coach defends him, India wins match
In the wake of the criticism, Shami's coach Mohammed Badruddin came out in the cricketer's defense. He said Shami wasn't at fault and had the nation's support.
Badruddin asked clerics to keep national interests above everything else, "Desh ke aage kuch nahi (Nothing comes before the nation)."
Despite the controversy over Shami's actions in semi-final match against Australia in Champions Trophy, India won by four wickets.
Match outcome
Shami's performance instrumental in India's victory
Shami was instrumental in India's win against Australia, limiting them to 264 runs by claiming three wickets in his 10-over spell.
The win has taken India to the finals of the Champions Trophy.
Shami's controversy isn't the only one in this tournament, as Indian captain Rohit Sharma was earlier criticized for his fitness and leadership skills by Congress national spokesperson Shama Mohammed.
Additional controversy
Congress spokesperson criticizes Rohit Sharma
Mohammed had called Sharma "too fat for a sportsman" and "the most unimpressive captain India ever had."
The Congress party distanced itself from her remarks, with Pawan Khera saying her comments didn't reflect the party's position.
Khera said she was asked to delete her social media posts and advised to exercise greater caution in the future.