Congress Leader Who Fat-Shamed Rohit Sharma Defends Shami Amid Roza Row: 'It Is Your Deeds Which...'

Congress leader Shama Mohamed defended the Indian pacer saying that in Islam, those travelling or engaged in physically demanding activities can be exempted from observing a roza.

Congress leader Shama Mohamed, who sparked a massive row after fat-shaming Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma, has now come out in support of Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, who faced criticism for not observing roza. Shami was called a "criminal" by Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, the President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, after he was seen consuming an energy drink during India's Champions Trophy semi-final clash against Australia in Dubai.

Shama Mohamed defended the Indian pacer saying that in Islam, those travelling or engaged in physically demanding activities can be exempted from observing a roza, and that it is the deeds of the person which hold importance.

"In Islam, there is a very important thing during Ramzan. When we are travelling, we don't need to fast. Mohammed Shami is travelling, and he's not at his own place. He's playing a sport where he can be very thirsty. Nobody insists that when you're playing a sport, you have to fast... It is your deeds which are very important. It (Islam) is a very scientific religion," she said.

Maulana Bereilvi Labels Shami 'Criminal' For Not Observing Roza

A controversy erupted on Thursday after the All India Muslim Jamaat national president Razvi Bareilvi slammed Shami for not fasting in the Islamic holy month of Ramzan. Calling the Indian pacer a "criminal", he said that Shami had committed a sin by not fasting. He also advised Shami to follow the rules of Shariat.

"In Islam, fasting is a duty. If someone deliberately skips the fast, they are a sinner. Cricketer Mohammed Shami also didn't observe a fast. He has committed a sin. He is a criminal," he said.

"It is the responsibility of all Muslims to follow the rules of Shariat. Fasting is obligatory in Islam. If a person does not keep a fast intentionally, he is considered a sinner according to Islamic law," the cleric added.

He added that the cricketer's actions sent a wrong message to people during Ramzan.

"Playing cricket is not bad, but Mohammed Shami should fulfil his religious responsibilities. I advise Shami to follow the rules of Sharia and be responsible towards his religion," he said.

Shama Mohamed had earlier stoked a controversy after she fat-shamed Rohit Sharma and called him the "most-unimpressive captain in Indian cricket history". Her remarks received major backlash, with the Congress distancing itself from her stance and requesting her to take down her post. 

The Congress leader, however, defended herself and clarified that her remarks were not meant to body-shame anyone.