Shami’s daughter playing Holi ‘against Shariat’: Maulana Razvi sparks row

Bareilly: Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, has criticized Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami over his daughter's Holi celebrations, calling it “against Shariat.” Razvi, who previously accused Shami of committing a sin for not fasting during Ramzan, stated that while a young child playing Holi without understanding the festival is not a crime, it becomes “illegal” if she is aware and still participates.

Razvi released a video late Saturday, expressing concern over a video showing Shami’s daughter celebrating Holi. He claimed to have previously advised Shami to adhere to Islamic tenets and urged him not to let his children engage in activities that go against Shariat. While acknowledging Holi as a major Hindu festival, he emphasized that Muslims should refrain from celebrating it.

Despite his criticism, Razvi also extended congratulations to the Indian cricket team for their recent ICC Champions Trophy victory, specifically mentioning Shami and the team’s captain for their success.

Earlier this month, Razvi had condemned Shami for drinking water during an ICC Champions Trophy match against Australia, stating that according to Shariat, failing to fast without a valid reason is a sin. He urged Shami to compensate for the missed fasts after Ramzan and instructed him to ensure his family members respect Islamic law.

Reiterating his stance, Razvi emphasized that fasting is obligatory in Islam and that any Muslim who deliberately neglects it is considered a sinner. While he acknowledged that playing cricket is not wrong, he insisted that Shami must prioritize his religious responsibilities and adhere to the principles of Shariat.

With PTI inputs