Accept Ayesha or face fatwa: Cleric to Shoaib

Kolkata, Apr 7: A Muslim cleric has issued a fatwa against Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik on Tuesday, Apr 6, at the backdrop of the allegations made by Ayesha Siddiqui, who claims to be his first wife.

Stating that Shoaib and Ayesha were husband and wife since they were married over the phone, Shahi Imam of Tipu Sultan Mosque in Kolkata, Syed Noor-ur-Rehman Barkati warned Shoaib of being thrown out of the Muslim society if he refuses to accept Ayesha as his wife.

"Nikah has been conducted over the telephone. They are now husband and wife according to Muslim law," said the Imam, known for issuing edicts on burning issues.

"If Shoaib accepts the nikah, no problem. But if he denies, he will be out of the Muslim society," he said.

This diktat could be a major blow for Shoaib, who is engaged in a legal battle with Ayesha after the latter filed a cheating case against him.

Shoaib is at present in Hyderabad. Shoaib and tennis ace Sania Mirza are planning to get married on Apr 15.

However, it has been said that both the families are planning to postpone the wedding date.

Shoaib was questioned by the Hyderabad police on Monday, Apr 5, following an FIR filed by Ayesha Siddiqui. He has been charged of cheating, harassment and criminal intimidation.

OneIndia News