Mohammed Shami roza row: Javed Akhtar slams Muslim cleric, says ‘don’t give a damn to bigoted idiots’

Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar has come out in support of Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami after the pacer faced criticism for drinking water during a match in Dubai amid Ramzan. 

In a strong statement, Akhtar dismissed the backlash, saying, “Shami saheb, don’t give a damn to those reactionary bigoted idiots who have any problem with your drinking water in a burning afternoon at a cricket field in Dubai. It is none of their business. You are one of the great Indian team that is making us all proud. My best wishes to you and our whole team.”

Congress leader Shama Mohamed, who previously criticised India captain Rohit Sharma for his fitness, also backed Shami. She emphasised that Islam provides exemptions for fasting under certain conditions. “In Islam, when we are travelling, we don’t need to fast. Shami is playing an intense sport, and nobody insists that an athlete must fast while competing. It is your deeds that matter. Islam is a very scientific religion,” she told ANI.

Maulana calls Shami a ‘criminal’

However, the President of All India Muslim Jamaat, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, sparked controversy by calling Shami a “criminal” for not observing Roza. He stated, “One of the compulsory duties in Islam is fasting. If a healthy individual does not observe Roza, they are committing a crime in the eyes of Shariat.”