Christmas-themed photos shared by Egyptian footballer Mohamed Salah have angered some of his Muslim fans, many of whom took to social media to express their discontent.
The Liverpool forward posted pictures of himself and his family dressed in matching festive-themed onesies, posing in front of a large Christmas tree, on Friday.
It is the third consecutive year in which Salah’s Christmas pictures have caused upset, with fans writing that it was inappropriate for a Muslim to engage in the religious customs of another faith.
But many others defended the footballer. Some said that, for many people, Christmas was now a cultural holiday rather than a religious one.
They said people of various faiths wear Santa hats and watch Christmas-themed films during the festive period.
Amr Adib, Egypt’s most famous talk show host, interviewed Salah earlier this month.
He addressed the backlash the footballer had received on Sunday’s episode of his show El Hekaya.
Adib vehemently defended Salah during the episode. He said people should not interpret Salah’s actions as contrary to his faith, but rather assimilation of the customs of England, where he now lives.
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1. Mohamed Salah's first goal of the season came in Liverpool's first game of the season, a 3-0 victory at newly promoted Norwich City on August 14. Reuters -
2. Salah's second goal came on August 28, in Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Chelsea. Reuters -
3. No 3 of the season was at Leeds United, where Liverpool won 3-0. EPA -
4. Another for Salah in the Premier League in the 3-0 win against Crystal Palace on September 18. AFP -
5. A thrilling 3-3 draw at Brentford on September 25 saw Salah claim another goal. AFP -
6. A goal that will be talked about for years to come: Salah scores a wonderful strike in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City on October 3. EPA -
7. The international break did nothing to slow Salah's form, as he danced around Watford's bewildered defence to score in the 5-0 win at Vicarage Road. Reuters -
8. Salah scores the third against Manchester United in Liverpool's 5-0 Premier League triumph on October 24. Getty -
9. Salah was soon at it again, adding the fourth at Old Trafford. Getty -
10. A hat-trick for Salah, adding the fifth in Liverpool's 5-0 win at Manchester United. Getty -
11. After three games without a goal, Salah is back on the scoresheet in the 4-0 demolition of Arsenal in the Premier League on November 20. EPA -
12. Another to delight the Liverpool fans as Salah scores his side's second goal during the 4-1 Merseyside derby win at Everton on December 1. AP -
13. His next came in the same match at Goodison Park. EPA -
14. The only goal of the game in the 1-0 Premier League victory over Aston Villa at Anfield on December 11. EPA -
15. Liverpool keep the momentum going with a 3-1 win over Newcastle at Anfield, with Salah netting the second, on December 16. Reuters -
16. Salah celebrates another goal in the 2-2 draw at Chelsea on January 2. AP -
17. Salah scores the second goal in the 3-1 win against Norwich on February 19. PA -
18. Mohamed Salah scores in the 6-0 win against Leeds on February 23. PA -
19. Salah after scoring his second goal of the game against Leeds. AP -
20. Another stunning season for Mohamed Salah as he notches Premier League goal No 20 in the 2-0 win at Brighton on March 12. PA
In an impassioned defence of the footballer, Adib said he thought there was nothing wrong with Salah’s photos.
“He is just spending time with his children in front of a Christmas tree,” he said.
The backlash over the pictures followed an interview Salah gave to Adib that prompted another outcry from some of the footballer’s Muslim fans.
During the interview, Adib asked the footballer whether he drinks alcohol when he is offered it, and Salah responded by explaining that he doesn’t drink because he never feels the urge to do so.
After the interview, broadcast on December 5, commentators took to social media to criticise Salah for not making it clear that his reason for not drinking was that it is forbidden in Islam.
“Alcohol is absolutely prohibited by Islam,” one person wrote on Twitter. “Your desire to drink it has nothing to do with it. You have to be proud to be a Muslim.”
Salah is one of the most prominent Muslim athletes in the world. He is extremely popular in Egypt and abroad, and his posts are considered highly influential on his millions of followers.
Egypt’s Dar Al Iftaa, the country’s foremost Islamic advisory, judiciary and government body, made several posts on social media alluding to the interview.
“Not thinking of engaging in vices is worship in and of itself,” he wrote in one, prompting criticism from some Muslims who felt it was glorifying Salah.
Later that day, Dar Al Iftaa made a second post asserting that “the prohibition of drinking alcohol is a fixture in the texts of the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the consensus of all Muslims”.
In pictures: the most expensive Arab footballers
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Riyad Mahrez - Manchester City and Algeria. -
Achraf Hakimi - PSG and Morocco. -
Mohamed Salah - Liverpool and Egypt. -
Achraf Hakimi. -
Hakim Ziyech - Chelsea and Morocco. -
Islam Slimani - Lyon and Algeria. -
Mehdi Benatia - free agent and Morocco. -
Said Benrahma - West Ham United and Algeria. -
Aymen Abdennour - Valencia and Tunisia. -
Youssef En-Nesyri - Sevilla and Morocco.
