Deoband Denies Issuing fatwa On Sania Issue

The Darul-Uloom Deoband on Friday said it has not issued any fatwa against the tennis player Sania Mirza, a day after Hyderabad Police lodged a case against her for shooting a commercial at the Mecca Masjid there.

"It is not the job of the seminary to watch the activities of player Sania (Mirza). The seminary has not issued any fatwa," Mufti Habiburrehman, the in-charge of the fatwa department of Darul-Uloom Deoband, located in Saharanpur district, said here.

He, however, said that photography in the mosque was "illegal" and against Shariat law, adding the tennis player had done the right thing by tendering an apology.

A case of trespass was registered against Sania and an advertising agency on Thursday for shooting the commercial at the mosque in Hyderabad.

Sania later apologised by sending a letter to the Imam of the Masjid in which she wrote, "I would like to apologise to all my brothers and sisters and respected elders who are anguished by my unwittingly entering a portion of the land belonging to Mecca Masjid."

But Sania is an Indian citizen so as per Indian constitution she doesn't need to pay any fine to a third party other than government organizations! It is really a joke as people says issuing fatwa and all. It is not 3rd century BC to issue fatwa or issue some groups' punishment to a citizen.

Sania Apologises For Ad Shoot In Mosque

Sania Mirza has apologized for hurting ''religious sentiments'' in an attempt to defuse the row over the shooting of a commercial featuring the tennis star at the historic Mecca Masjid for which she faced a trespass case.

''I would like to apologise to all my brothers and sisters and respected elders who are anguished by my unwittingly entering a portion of the land belonging to Mecca Masjid,'' Sania said in a letter to the Imam of the Masjid.

The apology ''with a deep sense of remorse'' came in the wake of the city police registering a case of trespass against Sania and the ad agency for filming the commercial allegedly without obtaining permission from the authorities.

As Muslim organisations and city-based party MIM questioned Sania for appearing in the shooting in the 17th century mosque premises, the tennis sensation said she was not aware that entering the outside gates of a mosque was also seriously objectionable.

''While I am fully aware that a woman must not enter the sanctity of the mosque, I was unaware that even entering the outside gates of a mosque was seriously objectionable, specially without permission, which I was assured by the agency they possessed,'' she said.

''However, I would like to unequivocally tender my apology to all my brothers and sisters for hurting their sentiments.''

Sania maintained that the commercial was aimed at promoting the heritage monument of Charminar which is a symbol of Hyderabad.

Sania courted trouble following a police complaint by District Minority Welfare Officer Kareemulla, who is the custodian of the mosque, that she and the agency's crew had made an unauthorised entry into the mosque on December 10.

Police described the cases as ''petty''.

Source: http://www.ndtv.com/

Sania's Ad Shoot At Mecca Masjid Has Sparked A Fresh Row

The shooting of a commercial advertisement featuring tennis star Sania Mirza at the historic Mecca Masjid here has sparked a row with the minorities welfare department seeking a report from the mosque officials.

The ad was shot on Tuesday without the permission of the department, which is responsible for the upkeep of the 17th century mosque. The shooting also evoked protest from the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), a powerful Muslim political party in the Muslim-majority old city.

MIM and some locals objected to the shooting and Sania Mirza's participation in it.

The advertisers had informed the police about the shooting and Sania's arrival but did not bother to take permission from the minorities welfare department. The police reportedly used mild force twice to disperse locals objecting to the shooting.

The mosque employees said the attitude of some of the members of shooting unit was also objectionable. They were reportedly wearing shoes when they entered the mosque and pushed away a mosque watchman who tried to stop them.

Sheikh Karmeeullah, the district minority welfare officer, Hyderabad, has sought a report from the superintendent and manager of the mosque on the incident.

Khaja Nayeemuddin, superintendent of the mosque, said he had no information about the film shooting. The two-hour shooting was over before the mosque custodians could reach the spot.

The mosque officials pointed out that the shooting of films and commercials was not permitted in the mosque premises.

MIM has protested to the minorities welfare department. "This is an attack on the sanctity of the mosque and it has hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims," said MIM legislator from Charminar Ahmed Pasha Khadri.

He said while Sania was free to act in any commercial, the mosque could not be used for such activities.

The mosque, located in the heart of the city, is a major tourist centre. Tight security is in place at the mosque since the May 18 bomb blast that killed nine people. Muslims constitute 40 per cent of the city's seven million population.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sanias_ad_shoot_sparks_row/articleshow/2614265.cms

Sania Needs To Stay Fit: Vijay Amritraj

Former tennis ace Vijay Amritraj believes Sania Mirza’s improvement in rankings will depend entirely on her fitness levels.

“She will need to keep herself fit throughout the next season and play as many matches as possible. Losing out on tournaments due to lack of fitness will mean a dip in her rankings,” Amritraj said here.

Pointing out that the Sania had been a victim of several injuries in the past, he said she will have to get back to the drawing board and chalk out a plan with her coach.

Amritraj said the current generation of tennis players is more dependent on the power game which demands more physical force on the court, thereby leaving them vulnerable to injuries.

Exclusive: Sania In Bollywood!

Sania Mirza is current youth icon of India. Sania Mirza created history in tennis by becoming the 1st ever Indian to break into the TOP50 WTA rankings. Sania's stellar play and winning personality has won her an Arjuna Award, India's top sports honor

Sania Mirza only 20 has a huge fan base in India and is turning heads all over the world. Sania Mirza is celebrated and adulated for her attitude towards life, her fashion sense and her immense talent.

Recently, rumours were rife that might join films when she appeared with Shah Rukh Khan to promote the Sunfeast Open a few months ago.

Shah Rukh had said then that he would love to see her bring more laurels to India but Sania is keeping the options open.

She revealed that she has no qualms to get into films if it would promote and inspire young people to take up tennis. She however said that marriage is not on the cards though many have asked her to settle down.