The head coach of Tunisia's football team has responded after facing criticism for reading Quranic verses with players before a game at the World Cup in Russia.
Nabil Maaloul made the strong retort in an interview with Tunisian state-run television on Wednesday.
"I have one thing to say in regards to the criticism… anyone who has attacked me for reading the fatiha needs to seek medical treatment for themselves," Maaloul said, referring to the first chapter of the Islamic holy book.
"We have grown up with the Quran and the fatiha. When we had exams in school our mothers would read the chapter for us. The fatiha is said in all of our prayers from dawn until dusk," the coach added.
A video of Maaloul and his team reading the fatiha in the changing rooms ahead of their first World Cup game against England gained traction on social media last week.
Courtesy: TheNewArab
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Koppal: Six teachers, including the stand-in headmaster of the Government Higher Primary School in Ganadal village of Yalaburga taluk, have been suspended in the backdrop of a Class 8 student’s death during an educational trip recently.
Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) Shrishaila Biradar has issued an order suspending the stand-in headmaster Hanumesh Bellad and assistant teachers Shivakumar Avasangarad, Nagaraj Shettar, Amaresh Ballari, Eeramma Badiger and Padmavathi Pawar of the Ganadal school.
The student, Nirupadi, had died as he allegedly slipped and fell into a well during the tour. The DDPI has, in the order, said that the fatality was on account of the negligence of the teachers who are being suspended.