09-13-2005, 02:50 AM
Unfortunate
The criticism of Sania Mirza by some Muslim clerics for wearing short skirts on the tennis court is unfortunate. Sania is a professional tennis player. She wears a skirt because it helps her to move quickly. Far from being a corrupting influence on young women, she is a source of inspiration to millions of young girls who want to achieve something in life.
Irresponsible statements by mullahs will hurt Sania and could have an adverse impact on her game.
M. Nazeeruddin,
Kurnool, A.P.
* * *
Sania's dress does not worry me because I know it is not going to cause any harm to Islam. But I am terribly worried about the short-sightedness of our clerics who have become a real threat to Islam. I wonder why our enlightened and educated Muslims do not feel the need to rein in these self-styled intermediaries.
By issuing medieval fatwas every now and then, they are only causing damage to Islam's image. Islam is not their property, which can be used and misused according to their whims.
Shamsul Arifin,
New Delhi
* * *
Sania has made it to No. 34 in the WTA rankings with her sensational brand of tennis. She reflects the true spirit of the Indian youth of the day. The controversy over her attire is misplaced. Mullahs should leave sports alone.
A. Khaleel ,
Bangalore
* * *
The self-proclaimed guardians of Islam were missing when Sania played in India and was not famous. That they have suddenly woken up shows that they watch only international tennis, and that they are publicity hungry. Why do these clerics not voice their concern over atrocities on Muslim women instead?
Abdul Monim,
Mumbai
* * *
It is clear that the clerics understand neither religion nor sport. We know mixing religion with politics is bad. But now we have to start working to keep religion away from sports.
An outstanding sportsperson like Sania cannot be a corrupting influence on women.
T.S. Pattabhi Raman,
Coimbatore
* * *
Time and again, some sections forget that India is a secular country. We, the normal Indians, are more concerned with the success of our women athletes, be it Sania or Anju Bobby George, and not with the clothes they wear.
S. Srinivas,
Visakhapatnam, A.P.
* * *
A fatwa is only an opinion based on the Koran and the Shariat. There is a prescribed dress code for men and women in Islam. The ulema have only done their duty by pointing out what has been laid down in the religious texts. Whoever follows Islam is expected to abide by the rules even if they pose restrictions on his or her freedom.
It is for Sania to decide what she wants to do with the opinion expressed by the clerics.
Sayeed Ahmed,
Bangalore
* * *
As an educated Muslim teenager, I feel outraged at Sania's attire on the tennis court. If short skirts alone enhance the mobility of a player, I fail to understand how men play power tennis in their knee length shorts.
F. Khalidha,
Chennai
* * *
Even though Sania has done a world of good to Indian sport, her dress code is a matter of concern for the members of her community. The clerics cannot be blamed for criticising her. They are only doing their job by drawing her attention to rules laid down for women in Islam.
Agreed, she is an Indian first but that does not mean she is not a Muslim. She can wear T-shirts and trousers like male tennis players do.
Jaseem Ameer,
Thrissur, Kerala
The criticism of Sania Mirza by some Muslim clerics for wearing short skirts on the tennis court is unfortunate. Sania is a professional tennis player. She wears a skirt because it helps her to move quickly. Far from being a corrupting influence on young women, she is a source of inspiration to millions of young girls who want to achieve something in life.
Irresponsible statements by mullahs will hurt Sania and could have an adverse impact on her game.
M. Nazeeruddin,
Kurnool, A.P.
* * *
Sania's dress does not worry me because I know it is not going to cause any harm to Islam. But I am terribly worried about the short-sightedness of our clerics who have become a real threat to Islam. I wonder why our enlightened and educated Muslims do not feel the need to rein in these self-styled intermediaries.
By issuing medieval fatwas every now and then, they are only causing damage to Islam's image. Islam is not their property, which can be used and misused according to their whims.
Shamsul Arifin,
New Delhi
* * *
Sania has made it to No. 34 in the WTA rankings with her sensational brand of tennis. She reflects the true spirit of the Indian youth of the day. The controversy over her attire is misplaced. Mullahs should leave sports alone.
A. Khaleel ,
Bangalore
* * *
The self-proclaimed guardians of Islam were missing when Sania played in India and was not famous. That they have suddenly woken up shows that they watch only international tennis, and that they are publicity hungry. Why do these clerics not voice their concern over atrocities on Muslim women instead?
Abdul Monim,
Mumbai
* * *
It is clear that the clerics understand neither religion nor sport. We know mixing religion with politics is bad. But now we have to start working to keep religion away from sports.
An outstanding sportsperson like Sania cannot be a corrupting influence on women.
T.S. Pattabhi Raman,
Coimbatore
* * *
Time and again, some sections forget that India is a secular country. We, the normal Indians, are more concerned with the success of our women athletes, be it Sania or Anju Bobby George, and not with the clothes they wear.
S. Srinivas,
Visakhapatnam, A.P.
* * *
A fatwa is only an opinion based on the Koran and the Shariat. There is a prescribed dress code for men and women in Islam. The ulema have only done their duty by pointing out what has been laid down in the religious texts. Whoever follows Islam is expected to abide by the rules even if they pose restrictions on his or her freedom.
It is for Sania to decide what she wants to do with the opinion expressed by the clerics.
Sayeed Ahmed,
Bangalore
* * *
As an educated Muslim teenager, I feel outraged at Sania's attire on the tennis court. If short skirts alone enhance the mobility of a player, I fail to understand how men play power tennis in their knee length shorts.
F. Khalidha,
Chennai
* * *
Even though Sania has done a world of good to Indian sport, her dress code is a matter of concern for the members of her community. The clerics cannot be blamed for criticising her. They are only doing their job by drawing her attention to rules laid down for women in Islam.
Agreed, she is an Indian first but that does not mean she is not a Muslim. She can wear T-shirts and trousers like male tennis players do.
Jaseem Ameer,
Thrissur, Kerala