Mohammed Shami: 'What’s the problem in saying Jai Shri Ram or Allahu Akbar… what difference does it make?'

Mohammed Shami said there is no harm in chanting “Jai Shri Ram” or “Allahu Akbar” thousand times as it doesn’t make a difference. The India seamer brushed off criticism by some for expressing their religious beliefs. The bowler said one is bound to find people who don’t like those of other faiths and he is not bothered by it. “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 told News18. The 33-year-old is currently recovering from an ankle injury that’s kept him out since the ODI World Cup in November. He also hit out at those who didn’t wish for him to perform Sajdah after taking a wicket during the campaign. “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 said. Shami had earlier explained why he had gone down on the ground on both knees vs Sri Lanka, which was speculated by many as 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. “First of all, mai kisise nhi darta iss cheez se (I’m not afraid of anyone when it comes to this),” Shami said. “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.” Shami finished the ODI World Cup in India as the leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets in only seven matches. He’s been out of action since and is not expecting to return until the Indian Premier League.