Indian celebrity Rakhi Sawant has ignited a social media frenzy with her recent spiritual expedition to the holy cities of Makkah and Medina. The Indian reality television star shared her journey of performing Umrah, the sacred Islamic pilgrimage, with her followers on the photo-sharing app.

However, not everyone is applauding her spiritual endeavour, as social media influencer Mathira has voiced concerns over what she sees as an exploitation of religion for personal gain. Mathira voiced her concerns about the potential misuse of religion for personal gain.

She criticised Rakhi’s actions, labelling them as a form of “drama” within the sacred precincts of God’s house. She cautioned that such actions might lead to negative repercussions and urged respect for the sanctity of religious spaces. Mathira underscored that exploiting religion for clout or benefit was not in line with the essence of faith.  “I’m sorry but this drama that she is doing [in] Allah’s house is not good and can backfire on her! Please respect Allah’s house. Stop this clout chasing! Using religion for your benefits is not good,” penned Mathira.

Breaking the news of her pilgrimage a few days ago through an Instagram video, Rakhi showcased her transformation by wearing modest attire, signifying her commitment to the sacred ritual. Expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to embark on Umrah, she shared her joy and blessedness in being called to the house of God. Rakhi extended her prayers to her followers while also urging them to remember her in their supplications.

The conversion of Rakhi Sawant to Islam has been a point of attention since her marriage to Adil Khan Durrani in 2022. Despite her alleged adoption of the Islamic name Fatima, her social media usernames remain unchanged, stirring discussions about the sincerity of her spiritual journey.

While Rakhi garnered praise for fulfilling a significant Muslim rite, her history and controversies stirred scepticism among many. The announcement of her pilgrimage triggered both support and criticism, with some questioning the authenticity of her newfound faith. Undeterred, Rakhi continued to share updates from her holy journey.

A reel from Madina captured her presence in the holy city, while another video depicted Rakhi and her companions performing the circumambulation around the Kaaba. The completion of Umrah was marked by a photograph in which Rakhi stood reverently before the Holy Kaaba.

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