Hyderabad: For the past few days, social media has been abuzz with claims that former Indian tennis star Sania Mirza donated a piece of land in Hyderabad for the construction of a mosque. The claim, which also suggested that the land was initially intended for a tennis training centre, gained traction across platforms, with several users sharing a picture purportedly showing former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin laying the foundation stone of the proposed mosque alongside Sania.

The viral claim even caught the attention of popular paparazzo Viral Bhayani, who shared the news on social media, further fuelling speculation.

However, Sania’s father, Imran Mirza, has now stepped in to put an end to the rumours, clarifying that the viral picture is AI-generated and that no mosque is being constructed on the land in question.

Imran Mirza clarifies viral claims about Sania Mirza

Taking to Instagram, Imran Mirza issued a detailed clarification addressing the misinformation circulating online about his daughter over the past few days.

Calling the reports distorted and fake, he specifically dismissed the claim that a mosque was being built on the land where the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy has been constructed. He also confirmed that the widely circulated photograph of Sania with Mohammed Azharuddin was generated using artificial intelligence.

“There is a distorted fake news about Sania Mirza that has been doing the rounds on social media for the last few days and I’d like to clarify,” Imran wrote.

Imran Mirza on daughter’s philanthropic activities

In his statement, Imran also addressed the discussion surrounding Sania’s alleged charitable and philanthropic activities, stressing that such matters should remain private unless she chooses to speak about them herself.

He said that any social or philanthropic work Sania has undertaken in the past, is doing at present, or may do in the future is her personal matter. He added that nobody has the right to publicise such activities, particularly without Sania’s own verification.

His statement read: “While Sania has every right to use any land bought by her or her family in any manner that she may deem fit, I wish to state that there is no masjid that is being built on the land where Sania Mirza Tennis Academy has been constructed.”

“Any social or philanthropic work that Sania does now or in future or which she has done in the past is and will remain her private and personal matter. Nobody has the right to publicize it, particularly if Sania has not verified it herself.”

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Sania has also reshared her father’s clarification on her Instagram Stories.

Sania Mirza’s latest work

Meanwhile, Sania Mirza continues to remain in the spotlight with the latest episodes of the second season of her YouTube show, Serving It Up with Sania. The show features conversations and interactions with guests, offering viewers a glimpse into a different side of the former tennis champion beyond her sporting career.

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