Liverpool and Egypt football star Mohamed Salah has once again ignited a fierce debate on social media after posting a photograph of a Christmas tree with his daughters, drawing both sharp criticism and widespread praise from his followers.
Annual Tradition Meets Religious Controversy
The 33-year-old forward, who is a devout Muslim, has made it a personal tradition to share a festive message each December. This year, on Christmas Day, he posted a picture of his daughters, 11-year-old Makka and five-year-old Kayan, sitting beside a decorated tree adorned with baubles and a large red ribbon. His caption was a simple '#MerryChristmas'.
However, this act of seasonal goodwill was met with immediate backlash from a portion of his Muslim audience. One follower questioned, 'I thought you wouldn't celebrate this festival, which is forbidden in our faith.' Others accused him of disrespecting his religion and culture, with one warning him to 'fear God' and stating that congratulating non-Muslims on their religious holidays constitutes a 'major sin' according to their interpretation of Sharia law.
Support for a Message of Unity
Despite the criticism, Salah received an outpouring of support from many others, including fellow Muslims. Supporters praised him for promoting a message of tolerance and unity across religious divides. 'The world will be a better place if we tolerate our differences,' one comment read.
Another supporter highlighted his commitment to his family, writing, 'I really respect how he ignores all the hate and does this every year just for his children.' Many noted that the post had become a highly anticipated gesture of festive goodwill from the global sports icon.
Focus on AFCON Duty
Salah himself was not present for the family photograph, as he is currently on international duty. He spent Christmas Day in training with the Egypt national team in Morocco, where they are competing in the African Cup of Nations.
The 'Egyptian King' scored the winning penalty in a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe earlier in the tournament. Egypt, the most successful nation in AFCON history with seven titles, are hoping to win the tournament for the first time since 2010. Their next match is against South Africa on Friday.
This incident underscores the intense scrutiny high-profile Muslim figures face and the ongoing conversation about interfaith respect in the modern world, all while Salah remains focused on his goal of securing a first AFCON trophy for his country.
