Controversial Views on Football: Egyptian Scholar Criticizes World Cup Matches as a ‘Waste of Muslim’s Time’
In a lecture shared on his Facebook page, Egyptian Islamic scholar Younes Makhioun voiced strong opinions on the World Cup, denouncing it as a wasteful pursuit for Muslims. According to Makhioun, watching football matches consumes valuable time that could be better spent on activities to strengthen the body, fulfill religious obligations, and engage in Jihad against perceived enemies.
Makhioun went further to criticize football players, labeling them as “infidels, heretics, or deviants” who should be regarded as the “lowest of the low.” He expressed concern about the idolization of players like Messi, citing an image with the Wailing Wall behind him as an example of behaviors contrary to Islamic values.
The scholar emphasized that football fosters a misguided sense of loyalty and animosity based on team affiliations rather than religious beliefs, urging people to judge others based on their faith rather than the football teams they support.
Younes Makhioun, not only a scholar but also an MP and chairman of the Salafist Al-Nour Party, shared these views, sparking controversy. While the reliability of the source is questioned, Arab speakers have confirmed the accuracy of the interpretation of Makhioun’s statements.
