Clerics divided over validity of Shoaib-Ayesha divorce

After Shoaib Malik agreed to divorce Ayesha Siddiqui whom, her family alleged, the former Pakistan skipper had married, Islamic clerics and locals are divided over its validity.

Azmat Shah Makki, an Islamic cleric said, "When a divorce is signed, it is valid even if the signature was given under pressure. By signing the divorce papers, Shoaib had confirmed that he did marry Ayesha."

Kalb-E-Jawwad, an Islamic cleric from Lucknow told PTI that pressure does not play any role in divorce under Islam.

However, noted Urdu poet Manzar Bhopali was of the view that the divorce was "totally invalid" as it was given under "duress".

According to tenets of Islam, a divorce to be valid must be given with a "cool mind and in peaceful circumstances," he said.

Malik is all set to marry Indian tennis star Sania Mirza in Hyderabad today.