Sania-Shoaib marriage puts an end to controversies

HYDERABAD - It is the most talked about marriage in recent times. But, solemnisation of the marriage of tennis star Sania Mirza and Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik Monday finally appears to have put a lid on controversies surrounding them for last few weeks.

The ‘nikah’ ceremony, believed to have been advanced to avoid further controversies, climaxed the high-profile marriage, which evoked huge interest in both India and Pakistan in view of the not-so-friendly relations between t he two neighbours.

Ever since the two famous sportspersons announced the marriage March 29, they have been facing a series of controversies.

The biggest row to hit them was Shoaib’s first marriage with Ayesha Siddiqui alias Maha Siddiqui, also a resident of this city. The girl, who claimed that Shoaib married her over phone in 2002, demanded that he divorce her before marrying Sania.

The past returned to haunt Pakistani skipper. It was during Pakistan’s 2005 tour of India that he had publicly revealed his marriage with Ayesha. A dinner was also hosted for the Pakistani cricket team at Ayesha’s residence here.

The allegations made by Ayesha and her parents that he cheated them unsettled Shoaib, who rushed to Sania’s house here April 3. He first denied the marriage but later admitted that he signed the ‘nikahnama’ presuming that he was marrying the girl whose photographs were sent to him.

Even Sania came out with Shoaib to defend him. “I have done no wrong,” he claimed and both of them challenged Ayesha to prove her charges in court.

The saga took a serious turn as Ayesha filed a police complaint against Shoaib April 4, accusing him of cheating, harassment and criminal intimidation. Police reached Sania’s house the next day, grilled Shoaib and seized his passport.

Facing imminent arrest, Shoaib crumbled and divorced Ayesha last Wednesday under an agreement brokered by some community elders and family members of Sania. Ayesha withdrew complaint against Shoaib.

The top-ranking Indian player was also not free from controversies. Her decision to marry a Pakistani after calling off engagement with her childhood friend came under criticism from various quarters. Right-wing groups like Shiv Sena questioned her patriotism while others felt she should have chosen an Indian.

Some groups like the Forward Bloc demanded that the Indian government take back all awards and rewards given to Sania for her performance.

Sania, whose engagement with Sohrab Mirza was held last year amid much fanfare, called off the engagement in January this year citing “incompatibility”.

Across the border, the marriage raised much curiosity and was seen as a hope to improve the bilateral relations.

However, Pakistani tennis authorities triggered a row by suggesting that Sania play for Pakistan despite her announcement that they would settle down in Dubai but she would continue to play for India.

It was not all. The duo evoked sharp reaction from clergy by staying together even before the marriage. Sunni Ulema Board, a group of religious scholars issued a fatwa Sunday, terming their actions un-Islamic and asked Muslims to stay away from marriages where men and women mingle freely in violation of Islamic rules.

A day after this development, the couple entered into wedlock, perhaps to avoid another controversy.