Tunisia football coach responds to criticism for reading Quran at World Cup match
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
بقراءة الفاتحة والصلاة على النبي..
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Air India Express introduces late-night Bengaluru–Mangaluru service
International services at M’luru cancelled on March 7
Mangaluru: Air India Express will introduce a late-night daily flight service on the Bengaluru–Mangaluru–Bengaluru sector starting March 10, 2026.
According to the sources, flight IX 5971 will depart from Bengaluru at 9.25 pm and arrive in Mangaluru at 10.40 pm. The return flight, IX 5972, will depart from Mangaluru at 11.10 pm and reach Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, at 12.20 am.
The additional service will operate daily and will remain in effect until March 28, 2026.
Meanwhile, Air India Express has cancelled all its scheduled international flights from Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) on March 7 due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
The Bengaluru–Mangaluru sector already has multiple daily services. Apart from Air India Express, IndiGo also operates flights on this route.
