CAIRO — Egyptian preacher Abdullah Rushdy has issued a fatwa prohibiting men from participating in bodybuilding competitions and showing “awrah,” the intimate parts of the human body as defined in Islam.

The fatwa came after Egyptian bodybuilder Mamdouh "Big Ramy" Elssbiay won the Mr. Olympia 2021 bodybuilding championship held in Orlando, Florida, on Oct. 10. This was Big Ramy’s second win in a row at the most prominent bodybuilding championship in the world.

Rushdy, who identifies himself as a researcher in the affairs of religions and sects at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, tweeted on Oct. 11, “Men are prohibited from participating in bodybuilding championships and showing intimate parts, which should be covered according to the Sharia.” He called for practicing sports without violating the rules of the Sharia.

In a Facebook video on Oct. 12, Rushdy attempted to justify his position, saying, “I am not saying no to sports, but the rules of the Sharia ought to be respected when doing so. … Awrah for men includes the body parts between their navel and knees, and it’s the entire body for women, except for their face and hands.”