Here is a draft article titled “Devin Haney is getting called a fake muslim for not fasting for Ramadan”:
Devin Haney is getting called a fake muslim for not fasting for Ramadan
Devin Haney, the undisputed lightweight boxing champion, is facing criticism from some Muslims for not fasting during the holy month of Ramadan as he prepares for his next fight.
In a video posted online, Haney acknowledged that it was the first day of Ramadan and wished Muslims a “Ramadan Mubarak.” However, he explained that he cannot fast while in training camp because “it’s my job is how I feed my family.”
Haney went on to say “Allah understands. He knows my intentions” and that he still plans to make his prayers during Ramadan as much as possible. He noted that last year he fasted for half of Ramadan during his training camp.
Despite his reasoning, some have accused the 24-year-old boxer of being a “fake Muslim” for not fully observing the obligatory fasting during Ramadan. Others have defended him, saying he has the Islamic right to be exempt from fasting due to the physically demanding nature of his profession during training.
The criticism highlights the pressures and scrutiny publicly-practicing Muslims can face regarding adhering to religious obligations, especially from within the community itself. How obligatory religious practices should be balanced against professional and personal contexts is an ongoing debate among Muslims.
For his part, Haney maintains his Muslim identity and appears to be doing his best to uphold religious practices like prayer and fasting when his boxing career allows. As he said, he is trusting that “Allah is the perfect planner” when it comes to his current circumstances.