Cleric draws backlash over remarks against Mohamed Shami: 'Religion not about compulsion'

Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami has received support from his brother amid the controversy over a Muslim cleric's remarks against him. (AP/File)

A Muslim cleric who singled out Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami for consuming water during the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final clash against Australia instead of observing Roza during the ongoing month of Ramzan has drawn intense online backlash.

Shia cleric Maulana Yassob Abbas condemned the statement by Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, President of the All India Muslim Jamat, and called him out for singling out Shami. "Religion is not about compulsion. Many do not fast, but why single out Shami?"

Bareilvi had said that Shami consumed water during the match, making him a criminal in the eyes of the Shariat law, and said he would "have to answer to God" for his "crime".

"One of the fundamental duties of Islam is Roza (fasting). If any healthy man or woman does not observe it, they are committing a crime. In the eyes of Shariat, they are criminals and will have to answer to God," he said, stating that Shami being seen drinking water despite being fit and healthy to play the match sent a wrong message to those watching him.

Shami's cousin brother Mohammed Zaid also came out in defence of the Team India A-lister and sought to term the cleric an attention-seeker.

"Shami bhai is playing in Dubai. During Ramadan, if a long journey is involved, fasting can be skipped. This is not a big issue. The Maulana made this statement just for TRP...We are people who are ready to sacrifice for the nation," he was quoted as saying by Times Now TV.

The remarks by Bareilvi were also denounced by NCP(SP) leader Rohit Pawar who said Shami has all rights to prioritise the game if he felt fasting would make him feel weak or unfit to deliver his best at the game. “If he feels fasting might affect his performance, he has the right to prioritise the game. He is a proud Indian who has won matches for the country," Pawar said.

Shami was part of the India squad which beat Australia in the CT semi-final, and played a key role by picking 3 wickets for 48 runs. India face off against New Zealand in the final clash on Sunday.