Mohammed Shami’s Coach Defends Him After Controversial Fasting Debate
The cricketing world has been buzzing with a heated debate after Mohammed Shami was called a "criminal" for not fasting during the ongoing month of Ramadan. This controversy erupted when Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, the President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, criticized Shami for consuming an energy drink during the Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai. The renowned pacer’s act was questioned on religious grounds, with Bareilvi claiming that fasting is an essential practice for Muslims during Ramzan, and skipping it without a valid reason is seen as a sin.
However, in the midst of this controversy, Shami's childhood coach, Badaruddin Siddiqui, stepped in to defend his pupil. Siddiqui emphasized that Shami’s decision to not fast during a high-stakes international match was not a criminal act. Speaking to ANI, Siddiqui urged Shami to ignore the criticism and focus on his game. “Shami should not let these statements affect his mindset. His performance for the country is what matters the most right now. Personal matters can be dealt with later, but the country always comes first,” Siddiqui said, expressing his support for the bowler.
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Siddiqui further pointed out that Shami’s commitment to the Indian cricket team has been unwavering. After returning to the team following a year-long hiatus, Shami made an immediate impact with a brilliant five-wicket haul against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy. Despite going wicketless against Pakistan and New Zealand, Shami’s contributions in the knockout match against Australia were significant, taking crucial wickets and helping India progress to the final.
Shami’s cousin, Mumtaz, also joined the defense, sharply criticizing the cleric's remarks and standing by the cricketer’s choice. On the other hand, Congress leader Shama Mohamed, while defending Shami, brought attention to the flexibility within Islam when it comes to fasting. She pointed out that the religion allows exceptions, especially for people engaged in strenuous activities or those traveling. “Shami is not at home, and he’s playing an intense physical sport. It’s perfectly reasonable for him to skip fasting under these conditions,” Mohamed explained, stressing that Islam is a pragmatic and scientific religion that focuses on deeds over rituals.
The debate surrounding Shami’s fasting practices continues to stir public opinion, but the cricketer remains focused on the task at hand – the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand. The Indian squad is determined to give their best performance, leaving the controversy behind as they chase victory. Siddiqui’s message was clear: focus on the bigger picture and keep the nation’s pride at the forefront.
As the controversy unfolds, it’s important to remember that each individual's circumstances are unique, and not every choice should be judged without understanding the full context. In Shami’s case, his exceptional contributions to Indian cricket continue to be his strongest statement, regardless of external criticism.
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