“It Is Your Deeds…”: Shama Mohamed Defends Mohammed Shami Amid ‘Roza’ Controversy

Congress leader backs Shami after cleric calls him a ‘criminal’ for not fasting during Ramzan while playing in the Champions Trophy.

March 7, 2025: “It Is Your Deeds…”: Shama Mohamed Defends Mohammed Shami Amid ‘Roza’ Controversy

Congress leader responds to criticism, says Islam allows flexibility for athletes during Ramzan.

New Delhi: Congress leader Shama Mohamed has defended Indian pacer Mohammed Shami after he was criticized for not fasting during the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025.

The controversy erupted when Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, labeled Shami a “criminal” for breaking his fast while playing against Australia in the semi-final clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

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Shama Mohamed’s Response

Speaking to ANI, Shama Mohamed dismissed the criticism, stating that Islam provides scientific reasoning for situations like these.

“In Islam, when we are traveling, we are not required to fast. Mohammed Shami is traveling and playing a physically demanding sport. Nobody insists that athletes must fast while competing,” she explained.

She further emphasized that “deeds matter more than rituals” in Islam.

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“Islam is a very scientific religion. It is your deeds that are most important,” she added.

Cleric Calls Shami a ‘Criminal’

However, Maulana Bareilvi took a hardline stance, condemning Shami for breaking his fast in public.

“By not keeping ‘Roza,’ he has committed a crime. In the eyes of Shariat, he is a criminal and will have to answer to God,” the cleric stated.

He argued that since Shami was playing a match, he was in good health, and should have observed the fast.

“One of the compulsory duties of Islam is ‘Roza’ (fasting). Any healthy man or woman who does not observe it is a big criminal,” he asserted.

The Debate Over Fasting in Sports

The debate over fasting and professional sports is not new. Many Muslim athletes, including cricketers and footballers, opt not to fast during major tournaments due to physical demands and instead make up for it later.

With India preparing for the Champions Trophy final, Shami remains focused on his game, even as debates over religious obligations continue off the field.

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