Sunni Ulema Board, a group of religious scholars, reportedly issued a 'fatwa' (religious edict) against Sania and Shoaib for mingling freely and living together before the marriage is solemnized. 
Baraza la Ulema la waSunni, kundi la wanazuo wa dini, imeripotiwa kuwa walitoa ‘fatwa’ (amri ya kidini) dhidi ya Sania na Shoaib kutokana na kutembea kwa uhuru na kwa kuishi pamoja kabla ya ndoa hiyo kupitishwa rasmi.