Barely a week after cricketer Mohammad Shami was attacked by Muslim fundamentalists for sharing picture of his wife in sleeveless dress on Facebook, another cricketer Mohammad Kaif is now facing criticism for sharing a picture of him doing Surya Namaskar – a yoga pose – on Twitter.
Surya Namaskar is a complete workout fr the physical system,a comprehensive exercise form without any need fr equipment.#KaifKeFitnessFunde pic.twitter.com/snJW0SgIXM
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 31, 2016
Surya Namaskar has been attacked by Muslim fundamentalists earlier too, who consider it a form of idol worship, even though yoga gurus term it a physical exercise. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, which is fighting to retain the triple talaq practice, had termed the yogic pose against Islam.
And this is why when Mohammad Kaif shared a picture of him doing this yogic aasan as a fitness lesson, he received some unsolicited advice from the fundamentalists:
@MohammadKaif why u compormise ur religion only for publicity stand strongly on ur religion Allah will give u respect.
— HAMZA EQUBAL (@EqubalHamza) December 31, 2016
@MohammadKaif Surya namashkar is adverse our culture society and traditions of islam.why are you posting a controversial statement.
— Md iftakhar kazmi (@KazmiIftakhar) December 31, 2016
@MohammadKaif @ExSecular surya namaskar is 100% prohibited in islam we cant down our before anyone except allah its requirement of iman bro
— Patel Muhammad (@PatelMuhammad7) December 31, 2016
@MohammadKaif Bhai fajar ki namaz bhi yahi kahti hai !!!
— Zareef (@MIRZRF) December 31, 2016
@MohammadKaif namaz is best exercise in this world. Kabhi padh lena to pata chalega..
— Ejaz Saiyed (@Ejazsaiyed) December 31, 2016
Earlier, Kaif had supported Shami and spoken up against such fundamentalist thinking. This time too, he hinted that he didn’t care about such comments:
Sabse Bada Rog, Kya Kahenge Log ! https://t.co/ouRrrWo2B1
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 31, 2016
UPDATE: Appears that Kaif thought to play it safe before bodies like AIMPLB or some Maulana issues a fatwa, so he clarified that he had “Allah” at his heart while doing Surya Namaskar:
In all 4pics,I had Allah in my heart.
Cant understand what doing any exercise,
Surya Namaskar or Gym has to do with religion.It benefits ALL pic.twitter.com/exq5pUclvu— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 31, 2016
