Mohammed Shami, the Indian cricket team’s pacer, expressed his perspective on the chanting of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Allahu Akbar’, stressing that such chants hold no negative implications regardless of repetition.
“In every religion, you will come across 5 to 10 people who won’t like the person from the opposite religion. I don’t have any objection against it,”
Shami stated.
The 33-year-old, currently recuperating from a heel injury sustained post the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, also addressed criticism surrounding his gesture after taking a wicket against Sri Lanka in the ODI World Cup.
“Like how the topic of Sajda came up… If Ram Mandir is being built, then what’s the problem in saying Jai Shri Ram… say it 1000 times. If I want to say Allahu Akbar then I will say it 1000 times… what difference does it make?”
he expressed.
Earlier on his YouTube channel, Shami clarified the context behind his kneeling gesture, refuting claims that it was an attempt to perform Sajdah.
“I was bowling a fifth over in a row, I think, and was bowling with effort beyond my ability. I was tired. The ball was beating the edge so often, so when I finally got that fifth wicket, I went down on my knees. Someone pushed me, so I moved forward a bit. That photo was widely circulated across social media. People thought I wanted to do Sajdah but didn’t. I’ve got only one advice for them, please stop such nuisance,”
he had said.
Shami emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the World Cup, claiming 24 wickets in just seven matches.
“First of all, mai kisise nhi darta iss cheez se (I’m not afraid of anyone when it comes to this),”
Shami asserted.
“I’m a Muslim, and I’ve said this before, I’m proud of being one. And I’m a proud Indian too. For me, the country comes first. If these things bother someone, I don’t care.
“I live happily, and I represent my country, nothing matters more to me. As far as the controversies are concerned, those who only live to play these games on social media, I don’t care about them. As far as Sajdah is concerned, if I wanted to do it, I would have. It shouldn’t concern anyone else.”