Mohamed Salah is facing criticism from his Muslim followers once again after sharing a photo of a Christmas tree – but has also received plenty of praise and support.
The Liverpool and Egypt star has made it an annual tradition to share a Christmas tree photograph and message despite his Muslim faith.
This year, the 33-year-old shared a photo of his daughters Makka, 11, and Kayan, five sat next to a tree with baubles and a huge red ribbon attached.
Like last time, his simple message was ‘#MerryChristmas’ – but that statement of goodwill was enough to start a storm on social media.
‘I thought you wouldn’t celebrate this festival, which is forbidden in our faith,’ wrote one follower.
Another said: ‘Mo Salah, I loved you as a Manchester City fan. I viewed you as my role model,’ one follower began. ‘Even though you never played for Manchester City, you inspired me. However, after this tweet, I can no longer view you as my role model. You broke my heart. If you don‘t delete this tweet, I will unfollow you.’
Mohamed Salah has attracted criticism and praise after his latest Christmas tree photograph
It has become his annual tradition to post a Christmas pic despite being Muslim (2024 above)
Salah was in training with Egypt on Christmas Day ahead of facing South Africa on Friday
One wrote: ‘You are Muslim… you should respect your relegion and culture… what are you showing to millions of people.’
Another warned: ‘Bro, fear God for your own sake – you’re a Muslim, and millions follow you and love you, most of them Muslims and young, and they’ll see what you’re doing as normal and trivial, but it’s a major sin and an innovation and something that doesn’t concern Muslims.’
One called it ‘regrettable’ for a ‘representative of Islam’ to share such a message, writing: ‘Congratulating non-Muslims on their religious holidays is an affirmation of their beliefs, and this is not permissible according to Sharia. Fame is a responsibility, and faith is more precious than people’s approval. Fear Allah, for death is closer than likes.’
However, Salah, who is away at the African Cup of Nations in Morocco, has received an outpouring of support from both Muslims and non-Muslims.
Many congratulated Salah on sharing a message of goodwill and pushing for a message of unity despite religious differences.
‘The world will be a better place if we tolerate our differences,’ one said.
‘Respect is respect, being in the African Cup of Nations didn’t stop him from sharing love, humanity comes first, Merry Christmas,’ another commented.
One wrote: ‘You know, I have been waiting for this picture since on the first of December. So happy to see it – in a way that gives haters and lovers so much to talk about. You never disappoint. It’s my prayer that this joy that you are so full of will continue to fill up your family and the world all together. God bless you.’
Salah received a negative response from a portion of his Muslim social media followers
He also received plenty of praise for his message of goodwill, which was highly anticipated
Another said: ‘I really respect how he ignores all the hate and does this every year just for his children.’
Salah could not be there to sit beneath the Christmas tree because he is busy trying to win the first AFCON of his career.
It has been business as usual for the ‘Egyptian King’ on Christmas Day, as he was training with the national team.
He scored the winning penalty in a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe on Monday and Egypt hope to build on that by beating South Africa on Friday.
Egypt are the most successful nation in AFCON history with seven titles but have not won the tournament since 2010, the year before Salah broke into the national side.
