Sania Mirza to marry Shoaib Malik today

Hyderabad, Apr 12 (ANI): Despite the interference of community leaders and controversy surrounding their marriage, ace tennis star Sania Mirza is expected to tie the nuptial knot with Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik on April 12.

"Sania's nikah with Shoaib will take place shortly," said Sania's PRO, adding that the reception will take place on April 15.

However, due to security concerns the exact location of the wedding was not disclosed.

The Sunni Ulema Board had issued a fatwa on Sunday, thereby further adding to Sania's pre-marital woes.

The fatwa claimed that it's un-Islamic for a man and woman to live under the same roof before 'nikah', and lashed out at the tennis star and her groom-to-be Shoaib Malik, who has been reportedly staying at the Mirza residence for over a week.

"It's un-Islamic for a man and woman to see each other during the ceremonies before the 'nikah'. Therefore, what they (Sania and Shoaib) are doing is not correct," said Sunni Ulema Board General Secretary Hasibul Hassan.

Sania's father Imran Mirza had earlier on Friday said the pre-wedding ceremonies would start off from April 13.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik had on Sunday asked Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik to request the Indian authorities to return Shoaib's passport, which was seized after Ayesha Siddiqui claimed to be his wife and filed a police complaint against him.

The two sports personalities are expected to settle in Dubai after their marriage. (ANI)