JOIN US'Ayesha-Shoaib saga in bad taste'
They also believe the lives of the two women involved, Ayesha Siddiqui and Sania Mirza, are ruined by the controversy that has attracted the attention of the media world wide. In their mind, Shoaib is clearly the culprit while no small blame is apportioned to Ayesha.
Prof Fatima Ali Khan, formerly of Osmania University, wanted to know why Ayesha’s father went to such great lengths to get Ayesha married to Shoaib.
“Where was the need for a telephonic nikah? It is resorted to during emergencies. There can be no smoke without fire. Why not opt for khula (divorce sought by the wife) which is provided for by Islam? It is not as if Islam forbids divorce like the Catholic church. Such things are done quietly and get along with life,” she said.
Jameela Nishat, director of Shaheen Women’s Welfare Association, said all evidence so far in the public domain points to the guilt of Shoaib.
“How does he explain his signature on the nikahanama? He has cheated Ayesha. And he is cheating Sania also,” she said. Ayesha, Jameela said, was apparently waiting to lose weight. Once the Shoaib-Sania marriage was announced she decided to come out in the open.
“She was happy to wait for Shoaib all these years and the fact that she says she wants nothing more than an apology from Shoaib shows that she is traditional at heart, accepting four wives for a man,” she said.
A senior journalist with a leading Urdu daily newspaper here believes there is truth in Shoaib’s allegations that he was cheated. “I have no sympathy for Ayesha at all. Who will marry her given her weight leave alone Shoaib Malik? Ayesha has gained nothing from this and she has in fact ruined her life,” he said.
“The talk of intimacy in star-hotels, pregnancy and miscarriage are not allowed in our society and is nothing short of licentiousness. Our elders should think about giving so much freedom to younger generation. We need to protect Indian ethos and culture and religion has nothing to do with moral values. Nobody deserves any sympathy,” said an editor of an Urdu newspaper.
Pak High Commission promises help
Following questioning by the Hyderabad police over his marriage controversy, Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik is learnt to have approached Pakistan High Commissioner in India Shahid Malik seeking latter’s help, reports DHNS from New Delhi. It is learnt that the Pakistani diplomats have promised all help to Shoaib including legal and consular assistance, sources in the High Commission said.
Bouquets and brickbats
Hyderabad, DHNS: Both Ayesha Siddiqui and Shoaib Malik have found supporters even as the Hyderabad police have set up at least six teams to investigate the case from various angles.
While women’s groups organised a demonstration in front of Ayesha’s house in Banjara Hills supporting her, an NGO that fights for aggrieved men has announced its support for Shoaib.
Women gathered in front of Ayesha’s house towards the evening and raised slogans: “Go back Shoaib.” They also shouted slogans in support of Ayesha. On the other hand Shoaib found unexpected support from the Save Indian Family Foundation (SIFF) which has been running a campaign for the last several years against the 498(a) section of the Indian Penal Code. It has demanded immediate withdrawal of case filed against Shoaib for cheating, harassment and criminal intimidation.
Meanwhile, the Central Crime Station set up five teams and one of them recorded Ayesha’s statement in her house on Tuesday. Police sources say that she had ‘strong evidence’ to back her claim of being cheated by Shoaib.
An official who met her said she is abnormally heavy and the reason for it is said to be a combination of thyroid malfunction and diabetes. She is reported to have told the police that they stayed in two star hotels as man and wife and had consummated their marriage there. The police believe the investigations could take at least two weeks to complete and depending on the evidence they gather they will decide on arresting Shoaib.
Fatwa issued
A senior Muslim cleric issuing a fatwa against Shoaib following Ayesha Siddiqui of Hyderabad accusing him of marrying and then abandoning her, reports DHNS from Kolkata.
The Shahi Imam of Tipu Sultan Mosque Syed Noor-ur-Rehman Barkati issued a diktat proclaiming that Shoaib and Ayesha are husband and wife as they had married over telephone.
“Since nikah has been conducted over the telephone, they are now husband and wife as per the existing 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 in a statement.