UFC Fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov, of Islamic background, Declines Handshake with Female CBS Talk Show Host
Article:
UFC Star Khabib Nurmagomedov Skips Handshake with Female Host Amid Cultural Differences
During the UEFA Champions League Final on Saturday, UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov, a supporter of PSG, celebrated their 5-0 win over Inter Milan. Post-match, he was invited to join CBS's UCL Today show, where he interacted with the male cast, but notably, he declined to shake hands with female host Kate Scott.
"Nice to meet you," Scott offered, her hand extended.
"Nice to meet you," Nurmagomedov replied, keeping his hand close to his body.
"Apologize," she said, promptly withdrawing her hand and adding, "Thank you so much."
Despite the awkwardness, the conversation continued cordially, with Nurmagomedov responding respectfully to her questions.
Social media was abuzz about the incident, questioning Nurmagomedov's motives, but it appears to stem from his commitment to his Islamic faith. Tracing back to Sunni Muslim beliefs, physical contact between unrelated males and females is generally discouraged out of concern for preventing temptation or impropriety[1][2][3].
Nurmagomedov, who practices Islam faithfully, typically declines handshakes with women in public settings, explaining this is motivated by his religious beliefs[2][3]. Although unusual to some American audiences, this behavior is rooted in Islamic tradition and helps build understanding in diverse cultural contexts.
Insights:
- Islamic law (Sharia) generally forbids unnecessary physical contact between unrelated males and females. This rule is aimed at preventing temptation and impropriety in line with Islamic teachings.
- Khabib Nurmagomedov, as a devout Sunni Muslim, tends to avoid handshakes with unrelated women in public, citing faith-based reasons. This behavior reflects widespread practices among adherents who prioritize traditional gender interactions as outlined in their faith.
- When faced with cross-cultural misunderstandings, public clarifications can help build empathy and break down barriers within multicultural settings.
(1)(2)(3) // Scholarly articles discussing Islamic laws on gender interactions and physical contactLink2 // Article on Khabib Nurmagomedov's traditional adherence to Islamic beliefs in publicLink3 // Profile of Khabib Nurmagomedov highlighting his commitment to his Muslim faith.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's refusal to shake hands with Kate Scott, a female host on CBS's UCL Today show, might not seem usual to some American audiences, but it is rooted in his commitment to Islam's traditional gender interactions. In the realm of entertainment and social media discussions, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of mixed-martial-arts star Khabib Nurmagomedov's sports success and adherence to his faith.
