From accusations of “grave sin” to his daughter’s Holi celebrations being deemed “illegal,” Shami’s dedication to his sport has ignited a fierce debate. A cleric and All India Muslim Jamaat president Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, labels him a “criminal,” while a government minister champions his right to choose. This isn’t just about cricket; it’s a clash of ideologies, a battleground where personal freedom collides with religious dogma. As Shami’s wickets tumble and his critics fume, one question echoes: in a nation of diverse faiths, can professional excellence truly triumph over narrow-minded extremism?

Razvi called Shami a criminal for not observing Roza

The controversy began on March 5, when a video emerged showing Shami drinking an energy drink during an India-Australia match in the UAE, despite it being the holy month of Ramadan. This led to strong criticism from Razvi, who accused Shami of committing a “grave sin” by not fasting. “One of the compulsory duties is ‘Roza’ (fasting)… If any healthy man or woman doesn’t observe ‘Roza’, they will be a big criminal,” he said in a video statement, reported Times of India

Razvi’s comments focused on Shami’s public visibility as a national icon, using his actions as a teaching moment. “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 among people.” For Razvi, Shami’s failure to fast was more than a personal matter; it became a public issue that he felt needed to be addressed.

According to The Indian Express, he added, “A famous cricket personality of India, 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 and an energy drink… This sends a wrong message among the followers of Islam.”

This critique ignited a debate on the role of religious leaders in monitoring personal and public actions, especially when individuals in the limelight choose national commitment over religious observance. Shami’s choice to prioritize his professional responsibilities added another layer to the ongoing discussion.

Holi celebrations of Shami’s daughter are “illegal” and “against Shariat”: Razvi

The controversy took a new turn in March 2025 when Razvi turned his attention to Shami’s young daughter after a video surfaced of her celebrating the Hindu festival of Holi. Razvi deemed the act “illegal” and “against Shariat,” causing a media storm.

In his video, Razvi acknowledged the child’s age but made an important distinction. “If she plays Holi without understanding (it), then it is not a crime.” However, he added, “If she is sensible and still plays Holi, then it will be considered against Shariat.” This two-pronged argument emphasized Razvi’s belief that even young children must align their actions with religious doctrine, especially when the actions are publicized.

His comments did not stop at the child; they also extended to Shami and his family, urging them to prevent their children from participating in cultural practices that he considered incompatible with Islam. “Holi is a very big festival for Hindus but Muslims should avoid celebrating Holi,” Razvi stated. He continued, “If someone celebrates Holi even after knowing Shariat, it is a crime.”

Razvi also instructed Shami to urge his family members not to belittle Shariat, reported The Telegraph.

He also congratulated the Indian cricket team and Mohammad Shami for its recent victory in the ICC Champions Trophy. “I congratulate Team India’s captain, all the players, and Mohammad Shami from the bottom of my heart on their success,” he said.

MP Minister slams cleric’s objection to Shami’s daughter playing Holi

Madhya Pradesh Sports Minister Vishwas Sarang condemned cleric Shahabuddin Razvi’s remarks about Shami’s daughter celebrating Holi, writing to Shami to reassure him and his daughter not to be intimidated by ‘fundamentalists’ and ‘extremists.’ Sarang called Razvi’s statement extremist and detrimental to the country’s social harmony, warning that such politics would no longer be tolerated. He also accused the opposition Congress party of engaging in ‘appeasement politics.’

Sarang stated, ” Is desh mein kattarpanthi aur charanpanthi apni seemayein laangh rahe hain. Is desh me nafrat ki raajneeti nahin chalegi” (In this country, extremists and hate-mongers are crossing their limits. Hatred-driven politics will not succeed here… Cleric Shahabuddin Razvi’s statement is unacceptable, and such threats will not be tolerated.) reported the Free Press Journal.

कट्टरपंथी और चरमपंथी अपनी सीमाएं लांघ रहे हैं! इस देश में अब धमकी और नफरत की राजनीति नहीं चलेगी।

क्रिकेटर मोहम्मद शमी की बेटी के होली खेलने पर मोहम्मद शहाबुद्दीन रजवी का बयान न केवल आपत्तिजनक बल्कि अस्वीकार्य है। मैंने शमी को पत्र लिखकर कहा है कि उन्हें और उनकी बेटी को… pic.twitter.com/eDiuBTUSTd

— विश्वास कैलाश सारंग (@VishvasSarang) March 17, 2025

Sarang demanded an immediate public apology from Razvi over the latter’s “objectionable” remarks, reported the Statesman

Razvi questioned AIMPLB for being allegedly hijacked by political interests

In a related development, Razvi recently criticized the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) for being hijacked by political interests. He lamented that the organization had strayed from its original mandate of addressing social issues within the Muslim community, instead becoming embroiled in political battles. His comments came amid protests related to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, further showcasing his desire to influence the discourse around religious and social matters, reported The Siasat Daily.

“The board now includes people affiliated with different political groups, whether in Parliament or other positions. Leaders from the Samajwadi Party, Congress, and even AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi hold influential positions within the Muslim Personal Law Board,” he stated.

He said that, “”It is clear that the Muslim Personal Law Board has been hijacked by politicians and political parties. This hijacking will prove to be disastrous for the real issues concerning Muslims,”

He also criticized the AIMPLB for organizing the protest during Ramadan, stating that such events should not take place in this sacred month and could be held at any other time of the year. He dismissed the AIMPLB’s claim that Muslims are unsafe in India, emphasizing that the Muslim community in the country is free to observe its religious practices, including Namaz, Roza, Haj, Zakat, processions, and Urs, without any obstruction. He accused the Muslim Personal Law Board of misleading Muslims in India.

Moreover, Razvi earlier expressed his support for the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024.

AIMPLB supports Shami, states he can skip Roza due to his tour

Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli, Executive Member of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board, spoke about Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami, saying, “It is mandatory for all Muslims to observe Roza, especially during the month of Ramadan. However, Allah has clearly stated in the Quran that if someone is traveling or unwell, they have the option to skip Roza. In Mohammed Shami’s case, since he is on a tour, he has the right not to observe it. No one has the authority to criticize him for this decision.”

#WATCH | Lucknow, UP | On Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami, Executive Member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli, says, “It is compulsory for all Muslims to observe Roza, especially in the month of Ramazan. However, Allah has clearly… pic.twitter.com/aseHrTkaYR

— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2025

Mohammad Shami’s performance in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has been nothing short of stellar, reinforcing his status as one of India’s premier fast bowlers. Returning from a year-long injury layoff, Shami shouldered the responsibility of leading India’s pace attack amidst Jasprit Bumrah’s absence. In the tournament, he claimed eight wickets across key matches, including a crucial spell in the semi-final against Australia, helping India secure a four-wicket victory and a spot in the final. His ability to deliver long spells with precision and swing has kept him among the top-ranked ODI bowlers internationally.

Amidst extremist backlash for drinking an energy drink during Ramadan and his daughter celebrating Holi, Shami faced unwarranted criticism for prioritising professional duty over religious observance. Yet, he remained unshaken, letting his on-field heroics—consistently dismantling batting line-ups—silence the detractors. Shami’s resilience exemplifies how true merit transcends narrow ideologies.

Related:

Why Quranic Principles Advocate Secular Democracy Over Theocracy? Part 1

‘No faith in the Muslim Personal Law Board’

On UCC, personal law reform & the politics of competitive communalism

The post Mohammad Shami faces extremist’s backlash for prioritizing professional duty over religion appeared first on SabrangIndia.

It is time that the Indian cricket team walks the talk on its stand against discrimination and abuse. While it was commendable for the team to take a knee to support the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, it is time Team India also stands up, and speaks up loudly against the massive verbal and emotional abuse being inflicted by bullies and trolls upon their Indian Muslim teammate Mohammad Shami.

Shami was targeted after Team India lost to Pakistan on Sunday. As a Muslim, he was accused of everything under the sun including ‘selling out’ to a Muslim dominated team. Shami, a proud Indian, has often been trolled for his religion, but sadly, Team India’s non-Muslim players are yet to stand up for their Muslim teammate.

Interestingly, Team India did take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The Indian players took a knee before their – T20 World Cup 2021 Super 12 match against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday. Both teams expressed their support against racism, and Pakistan players had their hands on heart as team India took the knee. According to news reports Team India opener Rohit Sharma and Pakistan captain Babar Azam had spoke before the match and agreed on showcasing the gesture against discrimination. It was reported that Team India captain Virat Kohli along with others like Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav took a knee outside the boundary rope.

However, as soon as team India was defeated by Pakistan in the final Hindutva trolls were out in droves to hurl a volley of abuse at the Indian team’s only Muslim player, Mohammad Shami. 

Shami BSDK??

— Yashiii? (@Yashi_tweets) October 24, 2021

Trolls accused him of taking  a bribe from the Pakistan team to lose the match. The Islamophobic attack left true cricket fans stunned and many hoped skipper Virat Kohli would speak up against the vile attacks and express solidarity in support of Shami. Kohli is no stranger to being trolled and it was thought he would speak up after India’s massive defeat at the hands of an arch-rival was used as fodder for Hindutva trolls. Shami, was called “Bloody Pakistani in Team India”, some raised questions like, “A Muslim sided with Pakistan. How much money did you receive?… how much money did you receive to help your community (Muslims) win?”

pic.twitter.com/7O8AloVEFb

— Mishti//Prithu Stan Account (@saffronjedi) October 24, 2021

Sanghis have started abusing Md. Shami after the loss.

After the racist attacks against few English players at Euro, the team came in support of them.

India’s hockey skipper Rani Rampal criticized casteist remarks against a teammate.

Your move, @imVkohli and everyone else. pic.twitter.com/38Rx1BaA52

— Abhishek Baxi (@baxiabhishek) October 24, 2021

Being told that 4 Kashmiri students sustained injuries after thrashed in Bhai Gurdas Institute of engineering and Technology in Punjab. @CHARANJITCHANNI @islahmufti @capt_amarinder @officeofssbadal @DGPPunjabPolice @sherryontopp

— Nasir Khuehami (ناصر کہویہامی) (@NasirKhuehami) October 24, 2021

Mohd Shami himself, has always gone the extra mile to ‘prove’ his patriotism.

Today is a day to feel proud about being a part of this great nation. May this spirit of freedom leads us all to success and glory in life. Happy Independence Day! #mdshami11 #aairahshami17 #indiaIndependenceday pic.twitter.com/ChGgze3lSw

— Mohammad Shami (@MdShami11) August 15, 2021

No questions were asked of Jay Shah

As expected, no questions were asked after Team Pakistan defeated Team India, from Jay Shah, the Honorary Secretary of Board of Control for Cricket in India. The governing body for cricket in India is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. He is also  president of Asian Cricket Council, and is the son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. It was just another day at the office for him.

Time to reflect and come back stronger ?#TeamIndia #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ZGvkQAMASy

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 24, 2021

Akshay Kumar is sitting next to Jay Shah and enjoying the India-Pak match in Dubai.

And, Indians expect him to speak on record-high fuel prices!??‍ pic.twitter.com/VnABVC7Sbb

— Siddharth (@ethicalsid) October 24, 2021

Is Captain Kohli in silent mode now?

Speaking after the match, Kohli spoke about why, for the first time, the Indian cricket team took a knee before a cricket game, reported the Scroll. “That was communicated to us by the management. The Pakistan team agreed to pay their tribute towards the same cause, and then we accepted our side of things, as well,” said Kohli. He added that Pakistan won because “they were very professional. You have to give them credit, we tried our best. We tried to create enough pressure but they had the answers. No shame in accepting that a team played better than you.”

It is not yet known if he has spoken up for Mohd. Shami yet. Kohli’s own social media is often filled with troll’s outrage around this season. Recently he teamed with Pinterest, and shared a video on his official Twitter account about sharing “tips on how to enjoy a meaningful Diwali with family and friends.” Trolls have been taunting him saying they don’t need tips on Hindu festivals.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing a series of my personal tips for celebrating a meaningful Diwali with loved ones and family. Stay tuned by following my Pinterest profile ‘viratkohli’ – link in bio ?@Pinterest#diwali2021 #AD pic.twitter.com/KKFxyK3UTG

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) October 17, 2021

Related:

Aamir Khan: Surviving in the regime’s crosshairs
BJP MP says Aamir Khan’s CEAT Tyres Diwali ad hurts Hindu sentiments
Jashn-e-trolling: What does the festive season mean for bhakts?

The post Will no one from Team India speak up for Mohammad Shami? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Shami wrote, ” Na sathi hai na hamara hai koi na kisi ke hum na hamara hai koi par apko dekh kar keh sakte hain ek pyarasa humsafar hai koi… Happy New Year.”

His message elicited overwhelming responses from his followers on both the social media platforms with many wishing the couple a long and successful marital life. But, there were also some, who thought the star cricketer had once again breached the teachings of Islam by posting his wife’s photo to extend New Year wishes.

Shami had recently found himself at the centre of a social media storm after he posted pictures with his wife and daughter, inviting some nasty remarks on his spouse’s dress.

He was lectured on morality by trolls because his wife was seen wearing a sleeveless gown in the photographs.

The cricketer had later slammed his critics with a social media post. He had said, ““Very good morning ?? Har kisi ko jindagi mai mukam ni milta, kuch kismat wale hi hote hai jinhe ye nasib hota hai.!.jalteee rahooooo… (Not everyone get what they desire, only a lucky few get it),” he wrote to his 40 thousand plus followers on Twitter.”

Here are some reactions from Facebook and Twitter on Shami;

Courtesy: Janta ka Reporter
 

The post Mohammed Shami trolled once again after he posts photo with wife appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Recently, Muslim bigots viciously trolled Indian cricketer Mohammad Shami for posting a photograph of his family – his wife Hasin Jahan, they said, wore un-Islamic clothes. The trolls – Taliban style – demanded to regulate what ‘their’ women should be allowed to wear, and sought to shame Shami for failing to discipline his wife’s clothing and make her wear a hijab like Irfan Pathan’s wife.
 
‘Are you a Muslim?’ ‘Aren’t you ashamed at your wife’s exposed neck?’ ‘Your wife is very cute but better not keep her in western clothes’ – were some of the milder comments.
 
One said “We hate you shami. .. apni aurat ki izzat ki nilami mat karo Bhai…" (Don’t auction off the honour of your woman), another told Shami “This beauty private property of u..dear …not showing 4 others…"  
 
The moral police clearly felt no hesitation in declaring that Hasin Jahan was her husband Shami’s ‘private property’; and that they, as self-proclaimed custodians of Islam, had a right to dictate how Muslim women chose to dress.  
 
The trolls were outnumbered however by saner democratic voices who expressed contempt for the moral police and support for the right of women to dress exactly as they wish without being judged and shamed and controlled by others.
 
On previous occasions, I have noticed that some Muslim men who would appreciate my social media posts against communalism, would get indignant at posts of mine directed at patriarchal dress codes – even those imposed by Hindutva brigades. They would post comments justifying moral policing and telling me that women’s revealing clothes made them unsafe.
 
I would ask them: “You are able to recognize that it is fascist to tell Muslims they are asking to be beaten and attacked if they eat beef or wear a skull cap and beard. How come you can’t recognize that it’s just as oppressive to tell women they are asking to be raped if they wear a dress of their choice?”    
 
In the context of the Shami trolling episode, I wrote a piece on the patriarchal codes that are shared across religious, social and political lines. In that piece, I shared an anecdote where Dalit young men were very conscious and aware of the ways in which dominant castes do not “let them dress in modern clothes, use bikes or play loud music or move freely on the main streets and public spaces of the village or town.” But the same young men found it entirely natural on their own part to prevent young Dalit women from dressing in modern clothes, moving freely with head uncovered in public spaces and so on!  
 
In that piece I also shared how even on the Left, there are deep-seated patriarchal prejudices and suspicions about women’s freedom and autonomy. In the last paragraph, I also asked the Hindutva trolls to recognize their own mirror image when they looked into the eyes of the Muslim fanatic trolls.
 
In the responses to that piece I noticed there were several who demanded to know why mention Hindutva moral police at all in the context of an incident involving the Muslim moral police?
 
By doing so, they alleged, I as a ‘commie feminist’ was being soft on the Muslim fanatic patriarchs. In reply, I would ask, don’t we ‘commie feminists’ routinely compare the Hindutva moral police (when they impose dress codes etc) to the Taliban?
 
To take just one instance, here is a statement  issued by my organisation AIPWA on the February 2009 Mangalore pub attack, referring to the Sri Ram Sene, Bajrang Dal and similar outfits as the “saffron Taliban.”
 
By making that comparison with the Muslim fanatic Taliban, were we being ‘soft on the Hindutva moral police’?!
 
Not at all: rather, our statement sought to underline that the patriarchal assault on women’s freedom and autonomy is what needs to be recognized and resisted – whether it is by the Taliban in relatively remote Afghanistan, the saffron brigades in India, or even the so-called ‘secular’ party leaders who condemned ‘pub culture’ instead of condemning the attacks on women.           
 
The problem with patriarchy is that we can often see and recognize it only in ‘others’ – in our own homes, communities, cultures, it looks ‘normal.’ But the most crucial anti-patriarchal struggles have to be waged in the comfortable spaces – in our own homes, communities, and cultures. One useful test to apply to ourselves when condemning attacks by those of ‘other’ communities on the rights of women, is to ask ourselves if we would condemn identical attacks by those of our own community?
 
This is not whataboutery. If we have not yet recognized or resisted patriarchy and sexism by ‘our own,’ it does mean we must not condemn the same by ‘others.’ But recognizing it in others can help us recognize and resist it in ourselves. That is why, even in articles condemning the patriarchal remarks or ideologies of Sangh leaders or Muslim fanatic trolls, I as a Leftist often make it a point to reflect also on how similar patriarchal tendencies are seen even on the Left.
 
The Hindutva trolls, not long ago, viciously trolled Tina Dabi for having become engaged to a Kashmiri Muslim colleague Athar Aamir-ul Shafi Khan. The All India Hindu Mahasabha even thought it was entitled to write a letter to Tina Dabi’s father saying, "This decision of your family will promote love jihad and thus the wedding should not take place at any cost.” In writing that letter, the Hindu Mahasabha displayed the exact same mentality that the Muslim fanatics trolling Shami did.
 
The Hindu Mahasabha treated Tina Dabi – an independent adult woman – as the property of her father; they declared that her choice (of life partner) shamed her father and her faith; and asked her father to protect Hindu honour by preventing her from exercising her choice.
 
Likewise, the Muslim fanatics treated Hasin Jahan – an independent adult woman – as the property of her husband; declared that her choice (of dress) shamed her husband and her faith; and asked her husband to protect Muslim honour by preventing her from exercising her choice. Making this comparison and recognizing the family resemblance between Muslim and Hindu patriarchies is important because doing so clarifies the issue.
 
The comparison makes it clear that the issue is not Hindu vs Muslim but that of women’s freedom vs patriarchy.
 
  
 

The post The Trolling of Mohammad Shami or Tina Dabi appeared first on SabrangIndia.