The fatwa factory by Sana Saleem

The fatwa factory
by Sana Saleem 

on 01 22nd, 2011 | Comments (372)


Last night, I happened to watch the most brilliant (and at the same time, disgusting) TV show on a local Urdu news channel. Brilliant, because in an hour it summarised everything that is wrong with this country and our mindset. The show featured our entertainment industry’s starlet Veena Malik and, Mufti Abdul Qawi.

Not that I was expecting anything but vitriol on the show, but even then I was shocked. From the way Veena Malik was introduced to the closing statement of the show, every single minute was filled with chauvinistic and downright derogatory remarks.

The programme started with clips from the Indian reality show (Bigg Boss) that Veena was a part of, a show that has stirred quite a controversy. The subject of controversy being that apparently, Veena did not correctly represent Pakistan or Islam on the Indian TV show.

Throughout the hour-long programme, the host kept attacking Veena by using words such as “oryan,” “fahash” and kept insisting that Veena had brought shame to Islam, Pakistan and our culture. The Mufti on the show was asked to judge Veena’s presence on Bigg Boss in the light of Islam. Here, I must also add that the host tried his best to emphasise that the Mufti had the right to impose a fatwa on Veena for her actions.

I must commend Veena for standing her ground with such grace. Despite the kind of language and slander that was being hurled her way, she braved a response and a commendable one too: “From my wardrobe to everything else, nothing on that show was in anyway different than what we see our actresses doing or wearing in our films. I was representing the entertainment industry of the country. One click on the internet can justify it all.”

Her response to the Mufti and the host, brought to the forefront the harassment women have to face that has conveniently been camouflaged as ‘honour and dignity’. But what really pushed me to write this blog was a question Veena asked Mufti Abdul Qawi: “Why am I being treated this way? Why am I being questioned? What is my fault, Mufti sahab? Because I am a woman? A soft target?”

It is true, no one would have dared to speak in such a way to a man, call him names or even questioned his character or his activities on national television. Not that they should, but has anyone ever questioned Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan or the numerous others who have worked in Indian films, produced music and music videos in India? Has anyone ever scrutinised their actions? We have never discussed if any of their videos merit Islam or our culture. Yet, we consider it our right to slander a woman and make her look like the sole custodian of the country’s ‘honour’.

Those who believe such vehement reactions are justified need to rethink their definition of ‘honour and dignity’. Honour that gets disrupted because of a woman’s appearance on a reality show but remains unscathed when over a 1,000 infants – most of them girls – are killed or abandoned to die. This is nothing short of hypocrisy.

In a country, struggling with insurgencies, poverty, inflation, and failure of governance, what Veena Malik did or said on a reality show should be the least of our concerns. But it seems as though moral policing has become our favourite past time. To be more precise, such slurs are actually called ‘slut-shaming.’ What this means is that when a woman acts in a way that is not considered acceptable in the society she lives in, she is verbally attacked and slandered in order to rule out her credibility; in order to divert focus from the main issue.

Veena Malik is just one example how certain factions of our media have resorted to moral policing and even advocating fatwas on anyone and everyone. Never mind that we have never pushed for fatwas against suicide bombings, honour killings and many other heinous acts justified in the name of Islam.

I recall thinking at one point during the show, how Veena Malik did not represent me and that we should stop making this about the ‘country’s image’. But after watching her response to the slurs being hurled her way, I take it back. Veena Malik represents me and many, many women in this country who have been subjected to moral policing. In a country where rape is justified, murderers glorified and women threatened by fatwas, Veena speaks for me and many others.

At the end of the programme, a teary-eyed Veena questioned the absence of outrage from her fellow countrymen, when she was being abused, bullied and subjected to hate for being a Pakistani on the same show. In those last minutes, she struck at the very heart of hypocrisy that is rampant in this country.

The Moral Police or the Ghairat Brigade conveniently turns a blind eye to horrific incidents like when infants get raped, but creates uproar if a woman dares to make choices for herself. It is my request to my readers and everyone who indulges in such behaviour to please stop; stop this madness, the moral policing and the fatwa factory before it devours us all.


Sana Saleem is a Features Editor at BEE magazine and blogs at Global Voices, Asian Correspondent, The Guardian and her personal blog Mystified Justice. She was awarded the Best Activist Blogger Award by CIO & Google at the Pakistan Blogger Awards. She can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.










372 Responses to “The fatwa factory”
Older Comments »
NK says:
January 25, 2011 at 15:11

Veena is such a practical Muslim and PAKISTAN will prosper if all the ladies in the country are like THE VEENA.
This is a true picture of being liberal, we are free and have a right to do anything anywhere. VEENA you are great and you are an asset to Pakistan.
almas abbas says:
January 25, 2011 at 14:47

I liked your blog and agreed with no doubts! i in my office also have had difference in the opinion who thought that Veena Malik should have done that and not that! for me this is a hypocrisy and also the mentality of the people as they are unable to differentiate. Veena has guts and is brave for which i liked her. Thanks for writing such articles Sana as many would find it a good oppurtunity to open their eyes.
Asash says:
January 25, 2011 at 14:28

I agree with the author of the blog. Our society still does not accept that woman should have equal opportunity in every walk of life. Behaviour with a woman is always very rude even in professional enviroment. We cannot say that Veena is the only one who has done something wrong. Many men have done things that cannot be tolerated, then why are they not questioned.

For every act, one is answerable to Allah, then why insulting her or anyone else in front of everyone?

Just a way for media to gain popularity.

Unfortunately, we have forgotten our values. We have forgotten how to respect and that is the main cause of destruction..
Sadia AK says:
January 25, 2011 at 14:28

Mohtarma..

I appreciate you writing skills but u need to re-look around..
when it come to VEENA MALIK only everything is good and acceptable but when it is about DAUGHTER OF PAKISTAN, I strongly condemn.. She shouldnt be sayin “I was representing Pakistan”.. She did not.. Pakistan is all about its Respectfulness of its Sons n HAYA of its Daughters..
As a person, Veena Malik is strongest woman but as a Pakistani she shouldnt be claiming herself Pious anymore..
And SHE DID NOT REPRESENT ME AS PAKISTANI..
Mahin says:
January 25, 2011 at 14:23

i am shocked at sana saleems remarks although i did not liked what the mufti or the anchor said on that show but i have watched all the episodes of big boss and am truly ashamed of the actress. i cannot forget the remarks her co participants made about her attire which was way way way too less. and in movies we expect a particular audience who likes the subject of the movie to watch it. it is not that puclic. like a tv show which is for a large number of audience and is shown in alot of countries. our movies are not even seen in our country rather than other countries so the dress code of our film industry does not in any way represent our country our people or our women.
ajavaid says:
January 25, 2011 at 13:45

being a Muslim she should not have to do this while saying representing the country.
Mullashikan says:
January 25, 2011 at 13:42

Time has come to make up our minds. It is right that an open debate happens. I do not want to live the life prescribed by Mullahs. Why should they prescribe any way. I am sure only a very small minority in Pakistan will disagree with me. Unfortunately the mullahs are too loud. Not fair, not correct, just loud. They have hijacked our country and are holding all of us to ransom. If more of us say what we want out loud may be we can also be heard.
Aziz says:
January 25, 2011 at 13:16

Veena Malik can do whatever she want with her life, but if she is representing Pakistan, (which she was as is everybody who is outside Pakistan travelling on a Pakistani passport). She should have behaved as Pakistan women do, not less not more. She disgraced us (except those who don’t ever feel disgraced), just like the author. People trying to defend her should understand why Pakistan was made in the first place.
Gul says:
January 25, 2011 at 13:03

I am appalled by the abysmal decadence of thought and action that our society is suffering in 21st century. This has happened because we have associated morality with the outward appearances and have formulated innumerable standards of it that fit ‘our ways of thinking and beliefs’. All sorts of ills are accepted in our society, but when Veena shows her professional talent in a foreign land, we feel disgraced and forget what is actually happening in our own gardens. We need to do some soul searching before playing the ‘moral police’. Dear country men and women, please stop this none sense talks and engage in some serious business of home-cleaning. Home cleaning must start from self! Veena has done her best as a professional. I have done worst by watching her in my own stereotypical lens of gender discrimination. I was more interested in her body contours and seductive actions than professional output as a showbiz person. Problem lies in my eyes and thoughts, not in the reality show or Veena!
Osman says:
January 25, 2011 at 12:52

We have focused more on those matters in society which we can easily target, rather than those which needs to be self-corrected. Eventhough we claim that we do give rights but it seems like empty words as no action justify it until and unless you put yourself in the same condition.. Each individual has importance of making society in a right direction while government or leadership guides them to achieve target. But sadly in our case, either hyper-religion or feudalism mindset have been put together their own interpretation to control people. We can see both types of people in our society, VM and Maulana, and which are demonstrating contradictions of our mindsets. Religion is a baseline for us to have faith, values and ethics in our lives..
Taimoor says:
January 25, 2011 at 12:46

You must listen to what Veena REMARKED about Meera when she (Meera) acted in an indian flick. Honble writer: Two wrongs doesn’t make One right. trying to justify your position by referring to what else going wrong is a mere >>>>>>>>. It means everyone in this country can be suicide bomber. Not at all acceptable. Doesnot agree with a single word of this article. Being a muslim no man or woman is supposed to be indulged in such activities. Stop protecting her because she is just a woman and stop saying that Veena is soft target. She is being targetted very rightly for her actions. What ever is going on in our theaters, Films, Music Industry, High upperclass is not right and every body condemns that. Veena is being targetted for defending herself and not showing the character to appologise. She could have said that it was demand of the script and if by doing so if she unintentionally hurt the feeling of any one she deeply appolgizes for that and that could have done the trick.
Saba_Pz says:
January 25, 2011 at 11:08

Way to go Sana Saleem!
Arsalan says:
January 25, 2011 at 10:46

Not agreed with Ms. Sana Saleem at all.

Its not about hitting women as a soft target, we the people try to raise voice against every possible injustice that takes place in our society whether it is a crime of any sort for that matter.
N if you think that Veena malik did everything right there in that BB show then could you plz answer my single question would you dare to do the same cheap acts on television if provided both fame and money? i don’t think you will.

As far as tv shows and their masala works concerned, they all try to use every possible situation to limelight their trps by using anything possible, and even you for that matter has written this article to leave a strong reply using this situation, ignoring the facts and figure you also know it. But, sorry to say there will be not much public behind you for this one.
Shahzad says:
January 25, 2011 at 10:20

If you read SURA KAFIROON, the last AYAA which says “that is your religion and this is my religion”. It can also fits here (that is your islam and this is my islam). Now a days when we do something against the teaching of Islam after that we try to prove that this is exactly according to my Islam. Media is the main source which promots vulgarity.

ALLAH BLESS US
momina says:
January 25, 2011 at 10:17

i also happen to be one of those who had watched da show
and now when i happen to read all thee coments on this blogs

i am now in the state of mind that we all should focus on “what we are doing and how “so called ” Islam we are spreading by crictising a women ”

no one in the right mind should criticizes her because what Vm did is all that what is done in our fashion industry and what we people like to see in the “indian and english movies”

i truly agree with Sana saleem
and please guys “live your life and stop judging others “
Shah says:
January 25, 2011 at 9:59

I’m not really sure what she did, but from hearing the news it just seems disgusting of what she did. It’s a shame to be even calling our country the ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN, what’s going on in our country, we all should be ashamed. I don’t think any of us would want our mothers or daughters sleeping like that with other men at all then why do we support other women doing it, it just shows we are all hypocrites.
AA says:
January 25, 2011 at 9:46

Dear Sana,

Barring the host of the show, the attitude of both Veena and Mufti sb. was despicable.

Let me ask you a question: What Veena was doing on the show, would you be able to do that ? Would you be happy to sleep with Ashmeet and give him massage… Or, better enough, would you be able to see your sister, daughter and/or mother perform those acts. If yes, your article does make sense, and i salute you for writing what you did. If not, what you have written is nothing more than hypocricy…

Regarding Mufti sb, it was a shame to hear from him, the words he said. Especially the part that, Veena bohot khoobsoorat hai, lambi hai, etc, etc…. I mean come on, to me it seemed like, he was literally drooling over her. Mufti sb. was brought over to the show to explain, if what Veena did, was fine according to Islam. This needed a single one-liner.

Thirdly and most importantly, Pakistan (God-forbid) is now on the verge of collapse. Reason being, one wrong is used to justify another wrong. Suicide bombing is used to justify immorality. Corruption is used to justify corruption.. This is the state of a nation in total chaos, and whose writers, ones people look up to, being in an utter state of confusion. They write to the people of pakistan, but their audience is far far away. Demonstrations are being done in Liberty, audience definitely not pakistani…

Good luck…
AHK says:
January 25, 2011 at 14:39

Quite right. Just because the Mufti was obnoxious and had nothing better to do then waste his time discussing Veena Malik, does not make the manner in which Veena Malik acted right in any way.

Just because there is hypocracy in our society & what our movies are similarly vulgar does not make the manner in which Veena Malik acted right in any way.

Two wrongs do not make a right.
Muztarab says:
January 25, 2011 at 9:04

Another very courageous article from this writer. Why is that many Pakistani’s love to tie these individual acts or if you want to call it “entertainers transgressions” to the image of Pakistan. Veena Malik does not represent Pakistan or Islam. She was not elected or selected to go to India by Pakistani’s or their government. She only represent herself and as an individual she is entitled to do whatever she likes as long as she obeys the law of the land. The outrage exhibited is totally misplaced, world does not know Pakistan or Islam through Veena Malik, they know Pakistan and it’s religion through whatever is going on in Pakistan today from corruption till terrorism.
rk singh says:
January 25, 2011 at 8:07

The Mufti should realise that there is something called generation gap. Youngsters acting in the way they feel appropriate and elders fuming(it is happening right now between ALL parents and their children). He cant stop them from being daring, risktaking, scandalous, sexy, whatever u want to call. They would like to live the way they feel appropriate. The world 25-30 years later may not be same as today. If muftis and maulanas impose their fatwas to stop the time, it will not work, it will harm Pakistan.
Agha Asad Raza says:
January 25, 2011 at 5:44

Well done Sana, I have all praise for you! It is so good to hear a sane vouce in all this madness!
Tahir Rizvi says:
January 25, 2011 at 5:16

I am amazed to notice the interest, enthusiasm and the number of comments received on the subject of the “The fatwa factory”. Reading our news papers, the political dialogue and the subject being discussed in our country it looks like we do not have any real problems or points of public discussion except: religion, sports, politics, corruption of politicians, role/dress of women and other similar subjects which do not relate directly to the day to day governing of our nation. We should expect our press to inform what real work our good or bad our central Government, Provincial Governments, and local Governments are performing which impact our lives and bread and butter issues. We, as citizens, should expect or Governments at all levels to report their progress of work to us on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis so that we can judge how far we have moved and in what direction? Have we progressed or have we gone backwards. We should expect some numbers so that we can judge the progress made or not made. Most of the issues we mostly discuss are of no real value to a common man of our country where living is hard and poverty wide spread.
I hope and pray that our intelligentsia will focus on our real problems which are: law & order, economy, education, defense, housing, infra structure, balanced utilization & appropriation of our national yearly budget, exports/imports, balanced taxation and similar practical issues which impact our life plus living standards. I will urge all of us to please address our real issues which matter most to our poor people and future generations.
Aisha says:
January 25, 2011 at 4:12

well all of these articles made me thing where is our country is going?? do u have a lot of time thinking and writing so much about veena???

There was no use of a mufti in that programme….veena destroyed the whole left image of pakistan…what she did hindu people also didnt do that!!its not a personal indoor matter that we keep quite…we know billions of women involve in adultery …veena was among those woman whose topless picture circulated in the world of internet 10 years back…noone raised the issue that time…coz it was her personal matter…but now she played with the emotions of Pakistanis…we always blame cricketers on their sattay bazi and bad games just coz they destroyed our image….so why not veena???

we should condemn such acts as much as we can to save our future!!!!
Rimsha says:
January 25, 2011 at 3:58

A-0-A….
Sana i totally agree with you. Veena is not a girl next door she is an actress and works for Pakistani film industry when we say Pakistani film industry we all know how it is. It is full of cheap and vulgar dances and dresses and body languages,i once saw a program related to Pakistani film industry and a very known director clearly said that “we make movies for a certain group of people who like to watch vulgar dances and vulgar stuff”. So there is no point putting any Fatwa just on her why not on our stage dramas and films?
I totally totally agree with veena when she said what is happening on our stage and fashion shows etc is not less than what she has done then why she is the only one being targeted. I have studied in a fashion school and i have seen alot of stuff which me or my family would not accept at all above all our Religion would not accept it at all but why we are not talking in general why we are just after Veena? I am sorry to say when our political people are doing quite alot of stuff that is not accepted by our Religion then why we are not putting any Fatwas on them why just one lady?
IAQ says:
January 25, 2011 at 3:27

Dear SANA,
You may be good writer but please browse her on internet, u tube and google. before you justify VM.
” Prophet sws said ‘ No Haya No deen”
Mustafa S says:
January 25, 2011 at 3:26

If we are just get as passionate as about religious motivated killing, corruptions, Beymani and Justice to common man/Woman then Pakistan would be better!!!.
Saad says:
January 25, 2011 at 2:37

Reading some of the blogs, it shows where we have reached as Muslims, we have lost faith in our religion, our ayman is weak, and we have no idea what our religion requires from us.
We as Muslims have submitted to our desires.

It is not what this girl has done. It shows what a Muslim girl can do and not be ashamed of it.

If we believe in Islam and its message and its Prophet than we have to condemn this kind of behavior and also, condemn people who are appreciating this behavior.

Saad
.
Hassan Parvez says:
January 25, 2011 at 1:45

I am proud of Sana Saleem for defending Veena. Non of these fanatic mullas of Pakistan raise their voice against gang rapes and murdering of innocent women in the name of honour as if Islam allows such crimes. I am so disgusted with all these molvis, ulmae din and muftis who consider themselves to be the custodian of my religion and who are responsible for giving my religion such a negative image.
Bravo Veena, I salute you for the courage you have shown on the TV channel. Shame to the host of the show and shame to the Mulla critizing Veena.
Saad Ahmed says:
January 25, 2011 at 1:45

My dear sister, if veena malik represents u and your thoughts, i could be more disappointed….did u even hear the kind of explanations she was throwing at the mufti and the anchor

and i quote:

“I gave massage to ASH-mit and other females coz islam is a religon that orders us to help and be pleasant to others”…oh really..is this what our Holy Prophet Muhammed (SAW) taught us?

” the media didnt show that i prayed 5 times a day there”…so whats the big deal..thats an obligation and not a luxury

“i represented Pakistan by speaking urdu”…so waht about the time when she wore a figure hugging one piece to jump in the pool, or without any reason she was dancing on the table?

“There was a conspiracy against me”..what abt the time when mr. Ash-mit repeatedly fondled her body and hugged her without any reason?
shah says:
January 25, 2011 at 1:21

I agreed 100 percent with your comments about express tv host which I avoid to watch. This is the bottom of all the channels in pakistan. Also Kudos to Veena Malik to fight it back.

Fatwa factory — Mullahs need to go back to Masjid and learn the true Islam.

Keep up the good work.
aneela says:
January 25, 2011 at 1:20

i think pakistanis (including my parents) need to understand that if someone goes on a reality show then they represent themselves and only themselves and not their WHOLE nation, culture or religion, i’m suprised about the fact that most host/presenters act so open minded but when it actually comes down to it they are not as open minded as they make out to be, tv presenters have the power to educate the nation, to help people understand things but instead they are miss leading them make them belive its not right for WOMEN to go to thier nieghbouring country to work.
Tufail says:
January 25, 2011 at 0:51

I think what she is saying is right, after all, Veena is an actress and nothing more, she can sing, dance, and sleep in videos. After all, this is what her career is, it is baseless to restrict her to get permission from the whole nation before accepting invitation which can foster her career as an actress in the first place. I was really amazed when anchor was advising her to get permission and telling her that she should have not opted for it. Just imagine the same anchor get an international opportunity to host some really big show!!!!! would he really care to ask and get permission from whole nation!!!! Personally I believe this is a big time joke. This issue has nothing to do with the way media has portrayed it, and most important point to note here is that it is violation of basic human rights mentioned in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is signed by Pakistan as well. On the other hand, it is the case of defamation. I believe everyday observes thousands of human rights severe violations than this. Our people must think seriously hard about what is happening with our attitudes as a nation. Connotation for any country should be carefully used by the media, what ever media person has to say, say it yourself instead of reflecting so-called “peoples’ wishes”. This is misuse of media. This thing is not worth a “National Issue” at all.
Muhammad Emad says:
January 25, 2011 at 0:43

If you do not enlist to the cultural norms of our society i.e. Pakistani Society, its becomes very easy for you to defend an outright promiscuous behavior. A little piece of advice for you … such comments may be liked seven seas across from our homeland but a strong impression regarding your profile prevails after reading your overly biased thoughts.
qamer says:
January 24, 2011 at 23:05

Pakistani nation where r u going please make religion as component of life not the very thing. where we youth go ? whom should we follow? what last generations left for us just bad name extremisim

we made joke of islam

ab toh dar lagta he iss qom se

i really afraid of relegious centric and mulas followers

Ya Allah SAVE US
Angel says:
January 24, 2011 at 22:53

I think you are confused. veena is clear about living her life on her own terms. Mullahs are clear about not letting the freedom of one’s own choice to the people, even killing them for it, like salman taseer. You decide your own stance
mansoor says:
January 24, 2011 at 22:53

First of all we must remember that regardless of her profession, she is a Pakistani in an enemy country. She should have conducted herself in a decent way.
Would an Indian on live television ever conduct herself with a Pakistani like this..look at what they
Did with our cricketers. In ipl!! Veena malik is an indecent person who does not represent anyone in pakistan.
She should be reprimanded for kissing and hugging an Indian knowing how sensitive our relationships are
And how India always tries to put pakistan down…shame on you for supporting her through this article since
You seem a person who is a practicing Muslim…hypocrisy on its peak !!!
Aleem Shaikh says:
January 24, 2011 at 22:50

People in Pakistan have much time to criticize a woman (indulged in immoral activity after watching her show) but less time condemning a suicide bomber.
Ali Shah says:
January 24, 2011 at 22:26

These questions are for everyone who is against this article.

Do we ever put fatwas on our female actresses when they dance and jump around in minimal amount of clothing in our movies?

Does the Pakistani population enjoy our stage shows, where women dances?

Do you know what’s the lifestyle of the “high class” of Pakistan?

Yes, what Veena malik did was not a representation of a Regular woman of Pakistan. She is in the entertainment industry people, and she did not do anything in that indian show (big boss) that she hasnt done before in our Pakistani movies. The real reason most of us are angry is because she did those things in our most loving nation, India (SARCASM).

I think what Veena did was wrong, but its my personal opinion, and I’m not in favor of putting a fatwa on her because she did not do anything new. She has done worse in Pakistan before and if no fatwas were put on her before, then why now? Just because she did this in India? This just doesn’t seem right to me.
Schazad says:
January 24, 2011 at 22:14

Thank God, someone against this bigotry and fear that has gone in veins our our society.
Nadeem Abbasi says:
January 24, 2011 at 22:05

Ms Sana… I am in shock and awe with your statement that “Veena Malik” represents you…Please visit Veena Malik on you tube and see all the Mujra’s let alone Indian Reality Show. Your statements indicate that you sexism is more important to you then your religion…I agree women are not treated right and I am no fan of Mufti and his school of thought, but you making her a class act is highly degrading to women….Her actions on Show does not represent an Islamic woman by any standards…On the show she was claiming that she offered prayers as if doing a favour to the entire Mulim Umma and that justified her entire vulgar existance..I respect women in Hijab and hold them in highest esteem, but your article indicates that I may be wrong on that account…I hate the Mufti Types and believe that they are dooming the country aswell, but your support of Venna Malik as representing Pakistan is a little far fetched…
Anjum Ashraf says:
January 24, 2011 at 20:23

Kudos to Veena Malik!
shah says:
January 24, 2011 at 20:07

Dear Sana if she was representing you then i really feel sorry for you.
Mehjabeen says:
January 25, 2011 at 13:00

Ditto
Khan says:
January 25, 2011 at 9:23

agreed
F says:
January 24, 2011 at 20:02

Oh come on, now, She’s just giving an example, a way of writing, if you like. Don’t get so emotional about anything or everything (what you think may be).. related to Islam, Mr Javed and all my fellow Pakistanis.

I fully agree with Umara. Whatever VM does in her professional life is entirely up to her. Who are we to criticize her for anything that we think may not be right? As if we are perfect Muslims! As if its our duty to correct everything ‘wrong’ with Veena. Can’t we just concentrate more on correcting ourselves?

And please Mr Javed, there are a lot more very wrong things being done in Pakistan, (all) in the name of Islam, doesn’t that offend you?
jabs says:
January 24, 2011 at 19:44

i m not mullah but wat ever veena malik is doing cheap , not in india but the way she was defending herself in tv show is realy shaful
madiha says:
January 24, 2011 at 19:33

Islam is not a word everybody should go and do research about what is all our scarced religion about who our Holy Prophet(PBUH) was and his way of living.People from different religion are busy promoting their religion like Ekta kapoor who sooooooooooooooo much of her relgion in her soaps and when we talk abt our religion we have done a very big sin
madiha says:
January 24, 2011 at 19:23

i agree with whatever you said but Shweta Tiwari on the other hand didn’t do any work like cookin,massaging and givin hugs to Manoj the person she knows for last three years but she won the game.i think veena wants to work in indian films that was the reason why she was exposing so much.Other participants like Shweta and Dolly wasn’t exposing too much.Veena wasnt representing Pakistan she went on her personal capacity and was it necessary for Veena jee to take in the pooja which Manoj Tiwari did in one of the episodes.i even knowvy she did all the vulgar stuff to gain TRP and stay for more days.She didnt wanted to come out soooooo early like begum.
Wasif says:
January 24, 2011 at 19:10

Miss Sana Saleem, u look like a good Muslim to me, I am not on anyones side, but u should not comment or take sides for veena, if she’s a Muslim why does she do these type of things, she should accept what she had done. If she she would have apologized she would not have been made a victim, please dont side her as she is not right. I think u see all this in the perspective of modern Islam. There is no modern Islam or any other, Islam is what the Quran says and Hadeeth. So please dont argue on what is wrong.
Moderate Man says:
January 24, 2011 at 18:36

I’m not here to make a judgement! Why should I decide whether VM was Right or Wrong?

A. I believe what’s pinching everybody is the fact that VM did it on the wrong side of the border. Correct me if I’m wrong but most of our actresses (including VM) have done similar acts / scenes on screens (movies / tv dramas) made within Pakistan. Did we grill them like this?

B. As far as religious grounds are concerned… Are we supposed to judge another human being? Why can’t we let The Almighty assess whether VM was right or wrong. Isn’t religion, religious a very personal matter between God and the person? Mufti saheb(s)… with all due respect… you dont even know if you are Right or Wrong so how can you judge others?!?!

C. All of us have seen what was shown on TV or what is available on youtube etc. As soon as the clip ends (for some even before it ends) our minds start imagining things that have not been shown! Are we blaming VM for doing things of our imagination? Let’s not blame someone else for our imagination!

Let’s not make any Woman regret being born in Pakistan.

Live and Let Live!
Sara Rubaiyya says:
January 24, 2011 at 18:25

I am surprised that the show was seen by Pakistani men and women! It was so againt Pakistani and muslim culture and values! That too included women with short clothes and performing all sort of indecent things (as per the comments I have never watched the show till date).
How can Pakistani muslim men and women do that? It is against Islam for muslim men to watch other girls who are not their mother, sister, daughter or wife. Same for women, how can they see other men with women performing such act! Why didnt the mullahs had a rally to stop telecasting any such serials/websites in Pakistan!
Hamid says:
January 24, 2011 at 18:09

Simply what we are expecting from this women, she was sleeping with a man and she says i did not done anything wronge, so need to discuss at all. I think its all over…..
sybil says:
January 24, 2011 at 18:07

may i remind the author that veena malik is an actress whoose naked modelling pictures can be easily found on the internet and these are from a time when she just began her career in acting so if she can go to further lengths in big boss….i am not surprised. please do not disgrace us by calling such a woman muslim or representative of pakistani culture and religion!



Arbab Kureishy says:
January 24, 2011 at 17:30

Regardless of religion or our culture….wat veena did was CHEAP…even the indians criticized her cheap tactics to seek audience votes….. I think she should have maintained certain level of dignity and self respect as Ali aka Begum did.
Tyrone says:
January 25, 2011 at 15:06

Begum Nawazish a man who dresses as a woman, maintained dignity?

Well then no need for any comment!
Ranjan says:
January 25, 2011 at 14:38

Congratulations Mr. Arbab for your clear and factual opinion.

People like Veena Mallik and all her supporters in the name of freedom of expression do all kinds of vulgarity and then defend their act. The youngsters then follow these hypocrites and slowly the culture and nation gets destroyed. I don’t know what is happening in Pakistan, but now India has become a nation of vulgar people with scanty clothes, a swearing mouth and dubious characters. All thanks to the endless freedom we enjoy. And for all who praise Veena mallik and women like her, let me enlighten you people.In the Indian show Veena kept on wearing revealing clothes, flirting with male co-stars, got intimated with one guy named Asmit Patel and did things with him you would be too un-comfortable to watch with your family. Rumor has it that some of the clips were laden with fondling and other intimate acts that were not shown to public. If you like women to show these behavior for no reason, then would you consider watching your sisters and daughters doing similar things? I hope you will defend their actions with same excitement as you are doing Veena’s?

I have only one opinion. Modernity is shown in education, technology, infrastructure and governance and not by showing skin and endorsing promiscuity.
Ahmed says:
January 24, 2011 at 23:17

Well said
Shah says:
January 24, 2011 at 21:52

At the end of the day she was there to get business. She gave the masala the program needed and that got her votes. I think she is an intelligent person and has all rights to do what ever she wants.
Sohail Ali says:
January 24, 2011 at 16:40

About our culture I think 1st we should Saw the Pakistani Punjabi & Pashtu Movies…… we can understand the culture and About Veena She is doing much batter then that movies of Pakistan. So First See what is doing inside in Pakistan and critics the Veena. No one have right to critic Veena Malik…….
Inayatullah Rustamani says:
January 24, 2011 at 16:07

I have watched the live programmes on Express TV mediatising the drama of Veena Malik. It appeared from Veena’s emotionalism that she violated Islamic and Pakistani norms in India. As she has to grow in Pakistan and cash popularity here, thus it would be a pragmatic approach on her part if it gives weight to the opinion of the majority of Pakistani and appologizes for over-reacting there.
Taimur Sabih says:
January 24, 2011 at 15:45

So if a woman, who calls herself a Muslim, chooses to sleep with a man on any reality show then it is justified just because she is a woman and she chose to do that and she should not be suppressed in any way? That will be considered as representing all the women of the nation? I am sorry to say this, but the family that I come from and I am sure there are many others like me who would not want the women of their families represented by this great actress. What she has done is wrong and there is no way that it can be justified. People say that look around there are a lot of other things going on. First stop them and then come to this. If we go by this policy then we will never be able to start from anywhere as two wrongs never make a right.
Mohammad Shoaib says:
January 25, 2011 at 11:46

I agree with you.
Uzma says:
January 25, 2011 at 8:46

I completely agree with Taimur. There were Indian female contestants too in the show however their behavior and way of exposure don’t fall into the category Ms. Malik posed. If she was representing our county then she should have behaved in the same way.
Shiv Lahiri says:
January 24, 2011 at 22:35

Many men have done it and are claiming to be muslim – why dont you comment on them ?
Urooj says:
January 24, 2011 at 21:54

first try, “suppressing” a man for his actions.
Irfan says:
January 24, 2011 at 17:22

Well Siad Taimur
Rabia Basri says:
January 24, 2011 at 16:15

Very Nicely said
Khan says:
January 25, 2011 at 9:39

Firstly, Veena Malik in no way whatsoever was representing the women of Pakistan. she was a representative of the entertainment industry and that too a true one.

Secondly, whatever she did was wrong, but it does not give us the right to decide who is right and who is wrong. If anyone says it’s a democracy, then they must realize that a democracy gives you a right to justice, not the right to take justice in your hand. Furthermore, as mentioned above, she as a representative of the entertainment industry has done no direct damage to you. If however you feel that she has indeed downgraded the image of women in Pakistan, then it is up to you to prove her wrong instead of pointing fingers. Do not say what’s wrong but tell us what you can do.

Finally, it is a shame as to how we as a country have come to seek entertainment in the misery of other peoples’ personal lives.

Regards
Ammar says:
January 25, 2011 at 5:47

What wrong has she done Taimur saheb? What law has she broken? The Indian law? No she hasnt. The Pakistani law? You will be surprised, but EVERYTHING she did was allowed under the PEMRA rules and legally speaking, they could not stop its transmission. Then what is the problem? She was representing herself and not your family. Why are you being defensive? Why should anybody represent anyone else’s family?

The great thing about Veena is that she is not a munafiq like most of us who do all kinds of things but try to act all Pakeeza. And frankly, I hate big boss and I swear I did not watch a single episode. But does that mean others cant watch it either? I dont even like Pakistani music, should I say others should not listen to it either? If you dont like what Veena did, then dont watch it but do commit to the fact that you will stand up for her right to do as she pleases, as she long as she doesnt break the law! This is the only way to guarantee a pluralistic and a tolerant society.
Ajwad Ali says:
January 24, 2011 at 21:23

nice point raised and I totally agree
Usman Shaikh says:
January 24, 2011 at 15:44

I am shocked to read your blog and all the comments praising VM and trying to justify her acts and making a completely false claim about her representing women in Pakistan

We should always look at things based on the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet. This should be the ONLY source that we must refer to when making any judgements.

My Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said and it is recorded in the Hadith Book of Sahih Muslim, Book No. 1, Hadeeth Number 79 that;

“When you see an evil act you have to stop it with your hand.If you can’t, then at least speak out against it with your tongue.If you can’t, then at least you have to hate it with all your heart.
And this is the weakest of Imaan (faith).”

Now the question here is what VM did was evil or not ? All those praising her and specially Sana.

2 wrongs do NOT make one right. May Allah (SWT) guide us all towards the right path

Regards
Usman
Khan says:
January 25, 2011 at 10:00

In reference to what you wrote,

“When you see an evil act you have to stop it with your hand.If you can’t, then at least speak out against it with your tongue.If you can’t, then at least you have to hate it with all your heart.
And this is the weakest of Imaan (faith).”

I’m sure there are countless other evils in our society today. Have we done anything about them?

Regards
jassi says:
January 25, 2011 at 8:49

You said:
“We should always look at things based on the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet. This should be the ONLY source that we must refer to when making any judgements.”

Why should everyone do this? This kind of attitude is what fundamentalism is all about.
Haider Ali Hilaly says:
January 25, 2011 at 1:48

I hope you decide to take your Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet and go into solitary confinement for so long as it takes you to learn to have a little bit of tolerance for the views of other people and stop forcing your own faulty and deluded values on those who need not bother to listen to your vitriolic nonsense.
Agnello says:
January 24, 2011 at 16:56

Veena never claimed to represent women of Pakistan , She said she represented entertainment industry of pakistan.

I dont think that is any of your business what she does to her personal life
ANONYMOUS says:
January 24, 2011 at 17:58

but the the writer of this blog did say she represented her!
umara says:
January 24, 2011 at 15:32

i would also like to add to my previous comment. Why suddenly so sheer anger or alegations on the actress. Y arent we looking at our tv channels forst of all. Have you seen your drama’s recently? I am not on anybody’s side. But i am just disgusted with the fact that why are the realities that need our imnediate attention not focused? WHy all of a suddent veena, meera or any actress?
Aleem says:
January 24, 2011 at 15:32

Well said Sana and I agree to the last bit.
I didn’t know who Veena Malik is till last night, when I saw this program online and was very pleasantly surprised by how boldly Veena defended herself and gave the sad molvi probably the shock of his life..!! Good job Veena !
I may not agree with Veena’s choice of profession… but I agree wholeheartedly with her dissection of the hypocrisy in our society and the completely wrong set of priorities by the so called defenders of honour..
madiha faisal says:
January 24, 2011 at 15:23

i couldnt disagree with the author more.. firstly the maulana didnot say anything disrespectful to her at all.. he kept saying “your my sister your my sister” he jsut asked her if she could watch these tapes sitting with her son or father which i think is a justified question..plus yes she should be more conscious abroad because she is a woman..if atif aslam wears shorts on a tv show its not going to be such a big deal..laws of parda are much more strict for women than they are for men..like it or not.. thats just the way it is..and just because women in the entertainment industry wear such clothes doesnt mean that she can..
another thing is that she kept sayign that i was just representing veena malik not pakistan or islam.. and then she expects us to defend her when harsh words were used against her in the show? she compares her self to shilpa shetty who won a similar compaetition when there is a world of difference between the two.. shilpa proudly accepted who she was and that was the reason why she won and became such a loved person in her country.. veena on the otherhand denounced her identity and hence the criticism..
just because shez shed a few tears and played the “im-a-woman-thats-why-im-the-target” card doesnot mean that we forget our identity or our religion and its teachings. she may not want to accept that fact that she is a pakistani or a muslim abroad but we are proud of both thank you very much. and i would request the author to remember that before she supports such a person.
Sibtain Ali says:
January 25, 2011 at 5:55

Well said Madiha … awesome comment… thats wat u call slapping with a dead fish…
Rabia Basri says:
January 24, 2011 at 16:06

Agreed…
Simon says:
January 24, 2011 at 23:38

well said….
khan says:
January 24, 2011 at 15:17

In my openion what molvi sahab has said was absolutly right. Muslim women should not go upto those limits where hidus felt ashmed of going. Even Sameer in big boss said that he is ashmed to see her in vulgar dresses. I think women was not targeted in this show even one program on geo showed that women hate her acts more than men.
I want to answer your one point that here in pakistan women goes beyond those limits and are not targeted, In pakistan its individual matter if someone do something wrong he/she will be targeted individually but if someone go outside the boundries and do such vulgar things than it affects pride whole pakistani nation especially women. I want to ask you Miss Sana Saleem being a moderate mulim women will you do what she has done there, will you wear what she has worn up (I don’t think so). If not than you should condemn this.
MIKhan says:
January 25, 2011 at 9:45

Very well said. If it is so called human rights VM is free to do any thing she likes but if she thinks she is a Muslim woman and representing Pakistan at any forum. She is wrong to behave in this manner.
Rabia Basri says:
January 24, 2011 at 16:11

Agreed well said
Sohail says:
January 25, 2011 at 6:02

What do this fanatic mullah have to say on Pakistani stage dramas and C grade movies, youtube is full of Filthy stage plays of Nargis and vulgar dances of Saima khan the CD star. People in India and everywhere watch it, Nargis and her sister perform here in Toronto with same vulgarity, do you praise them ??

I guess problem is that she performed in INDIA.
shan says:
January 25, 2011 at 1:04

agreed
Maisa Kanwal says:
January 24, 2011 at 15:10

Hats off to Sana for this remarkable article, quite obvious media plays vital role in molding people’s thinking, the show proved to be a careless attempt by anchor and mufti, it is acceptable that Veena’s appearance and activities were not bearable but it’s true that she doesn’t represent Islam lonely. If our people and Muftis are really concern about our religion then they should raise their voice against the entire film industry of Pakistan, they should call all our models and actors on a platform, they should take step against banding of all these activities which are truly stated as non-islamic
Zahid Khan says:
January 24, 2011 at 15:08

Folks try and think…. was this whole interview was also stage managed for more publicity?
Nevetheless, Sana spoke the truth which must have been stuck in many women’s throat in Pakistan.
umara says:
January 24, 2011 at 14:57

after reading the whole article and the continual bombaredment of veena malik on television. Country image, islam etc. I would like to put forward a question. Is body show allowed in islam? I am no one to question any fellow muslim about how practising he is about religion and especially not at all “ACTRESSES”. She is an entertainer.. she can wear less cloths for that. She gets paid for it. She needs publicity. No one knew veena and suddenly she has become the talk of the town. Is pakistan so weak that it needs representation from a SHOW GIRL? People she is a SHOW GIRL, an entertainer… it is expected from her to do this… Why are we not focusing on our social issues? And yes, as sana very rightly said she is a women she is treated this way. Why didnt we question ali haider when he picturized chand sa mukra with almost a half naked girl. Why didnt we question sheraz uppal when in his recent video we are being shown a girl with a revealing belly? why dont we question rahim shah when his video portrayed bar and falak and XYZ…. where is our islam??? Please people. either be with her for whatever its worth of leave her on her own. She is responsible for her own actions… there are a lot of other issues that needs nations unity.FOCUS!
javed says:
January 24, 2011 at 16:05

I don’t care about your naive views but don.t use etc for Islam.
jock says:
January 25, 2011 at 11:59

I don’t know whether you’re being sarcastic or not javed but ‘etc’ is an inoffensive part of the English Language…:P
Sameer Jain says:
January 24, 2011 at 14:42

Hi, I am from New Delhi & like Sufi music and Pak singers, not to forget the comedians. I have picked up quite a few Urdu words in the last two years & practice them on my friends.

I sometimes watched the BBoss show. My wife & daughter were sort of regular watchers.
My interest in the show was bec of Veena Malik. she was different from rest of the team (so was Dolly although it was a sheer disgust to watch her) with her soft voice & beauty. I had some stereotype image of Pakistan Women – suppressed, non vocal, god fearing, parda etc etc – but she was smart, calculative & used her charm to be on top of the ratings & gossips. An intelligent biz woman indeed. And thats really it. I wish she could be left alone.
cheers
bpshah says:
January 25, 2011 at 12:54

agreed with you Sameer. The majority of comments here are showing a typical Pakistani Male response. They are the lords & masters of all their womenfolk.
Sana is absolutely right. On the Pakistani TV (and NOT on Indian TV) VM represented her & many oppressed Pakistani women.
The other brave woman in Pakistan today is Ms. Sherry Rehman. & I am sure there are many of whom Pakistan can be justifiably proud of & history one day will record it.
Schazad says:
January 24, 2011 at 22:12

Couldn’t agree more.
Gulfam Hassan says:
January 24, 2011 at 14:35

Very well done. Keep it up.
Nadia says:
January 24, 2011 at 14:19

This thing was publicised too much……As for the vulgarity and obsenity, our own tv channels aren’t left as such to watch with family……and the ghairat brigade talks about the fahash tv channels and movies all the time…just that no tv channel would call a ghairat brigader to a tv show to talk on this issue as it would be against thier interests……i am not aware of the big boss show and what vulgarity was shown on that show and neither have i watched the show where this mufti was invited to speak on the show….jsut heard it from others……the thing to ponder is that such obsene acts by someone who calls himself/herself a muslim are nothing to be commended and such acts will always be criticized and ridiculed by the society at large……and neither does it call for anyone to speak in defence of a person who is involved in such acts…..let alone criticize the mullas or their hypocrisy…….it was wrong of her in the first place to come to a show where a mufti was also invited.
AHR says:
January 24, 2011 at 14:17

If there is anyone to blame it is the channel and the anchor which made an issue out of a non-issue. Veena Malik is entitled to her own actions and the Molvi is entitled to have his own opinion. The program was simply aimed at creating conflicts and earning out of the conflict. The media needs to curb such cheap shenanigans.
la traffic says:
January 24, 2011 at 14:09

99.9% Pakistani women know in Pakistani culture there is a very thin line between izat and beizati -that line is very easy to cross but there are consequences- be them conservative or liberal ,veena malik knowingly crossed that line and she will suffer the consequences for rest of her life ,but again it is her life who am I to pass a judgement .
javed says:
January 24, 2011 at 15:00

I agree wholeheartedly,but the percentage may be on higher side.
Amna says:
January 24, 2011 at 14:00

I hear you say Veena resembles to the girls of Pakistan. her wardrobe matches to our wardrobe. who you are talking about. i do not see half naked girls on the streets in Pakistan. ok if u say indoor, girls do wear such clothes then what is the proportion of such girls.. 2% or 3%. ? and you guys are talking about the actresses of lolywood. Has any one of us ever given respect to any of them. every one condemns there dance moves & dresses.I have never heard any one appreciating our movies. Non of our brothers & fathers would like to see their sisters & daughters the way Veena Malik acted in the show.this is the reality.
From her clothes to her self obsessed talks with camera to her flirty relationship so called “friendship” should not be appreciated atleast. she may not b representing pakistan & Islam is not a religion that is forced over. but being Muslims we should have guts to call wrong doings a wrong. we can not make bases of meaningless things to make things right. this is not modernism. this is fahashi. we should condemn may it b veena malik.
durjay mishra says:
January 24, 2011 at 15:36

Amna, I might not be a right person to comment your thought on Islam because i do not know much about it. But One thing is sure that if you deduce right and wrong by holding a holy scripture, I am sure you will not be able to lead your life. I bet on that. Be it a holy Quran, Bhagvad Gita or Bible.
Ashar Hameed says:
January 25, 2011 at 9:06

Typical reply of an atheist!
MC says:
January 24, 2011 at 22:17

I agree with durjay…he doesnt know much about islam.
Shahan says:
January 24, 2011 at 16:19

“But One thing is sure that if you deduce right and wrong by holding a holy scripture, I am sure you will not be able to lead your life. I bet on that. Be it a holy Quran, Bhagvad Gita or Bible” …
your bets might be true for you sir. Kindly don’t include everyone else who believe in their holy scriptures. Regards
shahid Raza says:
January 24, 2011 at 13:46

I am a senior citizen on the wrong side of seventy. I fully agree with the remarks made by Yasir Ali dated January 24, 2011. I used to regard Kamran Shahid as a budding anchor but he turned out to be another product of run of the mill propaganda machine who yield to commercial considerations and are afraid of speaking the truth or have a balanced view. Though I do not like Veena Malik as a performer but enough is enough I see no reason for her being singled out.
This shows very clearly that every day a normal Pakistani is losing out to the extremists of a particular brand of Islam who are not only enemies of Pakistan but of Islam itself who do not practice what the preach. It has become a normal practice to mis guide a normal practicing Muslim to further the extremist vision on every available opportunity. Express News has always been my Favorite channel because of their balanced approach but it appears that the management has thrown the towel and is now following the biased channels like Geo who I believe are enemies of Pakistan and take advantage of the freedom of expression, biting the hand which feeds them.
Mr Kamran Shahid will be well advised to please remain with in the ambit of fair play.
Nasrullah Khan says:
January 24, 2011 at 20:04

Raza sahib You took the words out of my mouth. The Mullah’s are taking every opportunity to further their cause which by the way is not tokeep the people within the realms of Islam but to wield Political power. Unfortunately Kamran Shahid is becoming the tool of consumerism and is loosing his ethics as a journalist. His conduct in this show was despicable to say the least. Veena Malik is an individual who is entitled to act any way she wants as long it is within the confines of the law. If people do not like it , they are entitled to their opinion, but they have no right to chastise her.
touseef ali says:
January 24, 2011 at 13:35

After reading this liberal piece of text, i have nod me head in positive frame of mind, in fact Veena is modern portrait or depiction of entire pakistan,s femalehood, and the allegations upon Veena is uberly futile, she did not do any act of blasphemy and her act in Big Boss is not derogatory, and Mullha mentality orthodox fatwa factories are baseless, and i must want to say that, still even the literate class of pakistan is not liberal very rigid, Come on! the women of pakistan come forward and defend your gender.

Whatever, Veena ji, you are liberal and you are pioneer of liberalism in pakistan.
Sameer says:
January 24, 2011 at 12:37

I have no idea why people give importance to an issue which should not be given importance. Veena is just an actress and she does not any way represent Islam or Pakistan. In her personal capacity what she is doing must not be of such importance that we talk insted of thinking to solve bigger problems.
Specially the religious community can spend this time in educating people and dealing with the core issue, specially guide people to do the right, and the teaching of Islam.
Specifically about morality and Ikhlaq which are more important then idadah.
naira ahmed says:
January 24, 2011 at 21:26

i agree 100% with u sameer
verming says:
January 24, 2011 at 12:35

I wonder how Maulvi sahab is feeling?He got what he deserved.Hats of to the lady for showing great guts.
Khan says:
January 24, 2011 at 12:33

Word speaks for itself, indeed it was targetted to a FEW individual to our society who think like Sana!!!
Yasir Ali says:
January 24, 2011 at 12:01

I used to like Kamran Shahid, but he practices slanted journalism. Shame on him. I would equate him to Bill O’Reilly but I’m afraid he would take it as a compliment.
asghar muhammad says:
January 24, 2011 at 11:57

There are two ways to adopt. one is the way of Allah Almighty and the other is the way of Satin. If one is a believer of Allah Almighty then s/he will have to follow the commandments of Allah Almighty whether s/he is Mufti or an entertainer. And if a person is a non believer than s/he is not accountable to any social law. S/he is free to do what he or want to do. But if a person is willfully declared that s/he is a Muslim then s/he will be accountable for his/her deeds to Allah Almighty in the next world but will also face his/her fellow believers in this word. In between two faiths, only hippocracy prevails.
What Veena Malick did in India show was not only her personal action but was also a representation of Muslim-Pakistani society by default. There were some limits which she certainly crossed as a Muslim, however, the media had to be careful while reproducing her objectionable scenes and discussion thereupon. Spreading obscenity is also prohibited in Islam.
rk singh says:
January 24, 2011 at 15:38

Dear Muhammed,

Veena malik never said she represents Islam/Muslims. People shoud realise that s/he is not the judge to islamiat. Only almighty will decide that. How do u now that the mullahs/imams/Maulvis are really following Islam in its right spirit. So let us not waste time judging the actions of Veena. S/he is responsible for her actions.
USMAN says:
January 25, 2011 at 0:40

Well Done RK …..Thts True…Its all between Amighty and Veena…We are not to judge her action.
sarahhh says:
January 24, 2011 at 11:53

i get your article, what i dont get is why we the educated youth of pakistan not focus on more important issues like educating the poor, and instead spend hours arguing over veena malik! ok so the mufti had no right to pin point her, but arent we all doing what the mufti did on the show? arent we all wasting our time discussing this issue when there are much graver issues to be argued over?? shudnt we be spending our timr thinking about how to educated the poor? provide food, shelter and security to our young ones?? and no offence to sana or ne one else here just a school of thought!
peace!
Jas says:
January 25, 2011 at 1:05

There may be many other issues,but that does not mean that any one issue should not be discussed. By the way this is the issue of freedom of an indivitual, not trivial by any standard. If the educated youth, as you have referred in your post, thinks the way you do, then your country has to go a long way in educating its youth, I must say.
Sitara says:
January 24, 2011 at 14:48

Absolutely right
i wish all of us start thinking like this
and stop advertising ourselves through these vulgar type of shortcuts
Hira says:
January 24, 2011 at 13:21

I second you…!!!
Reema says:
January 24, 2011 at 11:53

I appreciate ur stance Sana .. u r right
Men can mould their culture n their religion anyway they want. Veena was deifintely not representing islam or this culture whatever she did was her personal act n if it wasnt right in the eyes of Allah that’s between Veena n Allah. No human should be allowed to punish her
Nael says:
January 24, 2011 at 11:52

People! Oh people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan!
Is this issue even worth discussing???
She wanted money, she went to Big Boss.
Where and when does this Islamic Image and the Nation’s representation come in??
She came back, same old issue created, another talk show, another useless debate,
and many many women bursting into flame yelling, “When will men grow up!”
(My God! look even I became a part of it)

And please PLEASE!! My senti ladies!! the anchor person said with the every remark that all those “nazeba alfaaz” are according to the majority of the Pakistani people, proved through the internet polls. the host did not harass her!!
Waqas Zahid says:
January 24, 2011 at 11:28

Dear Madam,

You are naive, right now you are representing that female group for which everything needs to be scrutinized through the eyes of female rights preservation and anti male domination in our society.
Secondly, i’d request you to view this matter objectively and with reference to the context:
we do what we do in our country is our personal business, because its our country. WHO DOESN’T HAVE ISSUES AT HOME??
Sulaiman Malik says:
January 24, 2011 at 11:24

I feel sorry for you that Veena represents you! She’s such a non-issue
Hina says:
January 24, 2011 at 10:56

I watched the entire interview and came to the conclusion that Pakistan is now in the hands of various extremists – both Veena and the Mufti represented sides of a country and religion which I could not associate myself with – They both had extreme thinking – I agree with you Sana that we have lots of issues in our country to deal with but somehow I do not see the clerics or people like Veena coming up or representing the solutions. It is the middleway people – the balanced ones who should be the representatives and the voice of our country. I do not agree with the manners through which Veena promoted herself or our country as that is not what our image should be – having said that – watching a pakistani movie or entertainment – surely rings a bell too – as I fail to understand why such cheap actions, language and culture is allowed on screen and stage. I was also very disappointed in Kamran as he is usuallya very fair anchor but he too displayed his personal opinion through his body language. I give credit to Veena for raising some valid issues in our society but she did not really come up with the best solutions to these problems – the reactions of the her Indian housemates in BIG BOSS speak for itself..she was only kept inhouse because she was the only one adding spice to the show as the rest were engaged in other activities – she did not survive 80 days because the indian crowd loved her – the program managers manipulated the stay as it was a controversy – When will we learn to foresee the bait ? The answer is simple – The day we are confident and educated enough about our identity.
Habibullah says:
January 24, 2011 at 10:54

Whenever you do anything, you must keep in mind that you are a Muslim and you are representing Muslims. People usually brainwash by putting different words in the mind of people that women are being treated with double standards and women are treated honorarily, it is not true. This comment also is just in favor of Veena Malik, another will come against it, thats it. People should try to solve the issues rather than start giving comments against each other. After all, Veena Malik is a Muslim woman, so she should follow the Muslim values, she has to show herself that she is a Muslim woman. May Allah give guidance to us all.
skeptic says:
January 24, 2011 at 10:51

So true!!! watched the show myself and couldnt believe the nerve of the mufti….honestly i hav become a Veena Malik fan. If not anything else give the woman some credit for honesty…She realizes who she is..no false pakeezah statements…she represents the Pakistani film and entertainment industry and i think most of us have an idea about wat that is and represents…wen did every person going outside Pakistan to work become a representative of Islam.truly Veena Malik wuld be a much better representativ of Islam than those involved in terrorist activities around the world under the banner of Islam.Mufti sb. please focus on the ACTUAL issues..n if its the country’s image at stake…well then lets begin wit all those activities like the public murders of those two brothers..our v.common gang rapes…our daily targetted killings…our support to every wrong doing under the title namoos-e-risalat..obviously these totally donot impact our country’s image….
n wats amazing is that the Mufti sb. claims to have seen pictures and clippings…well the protector of Islam ur…u shuld have avoided looking at those in the first place…
sak says:
January 24, 2011 at 10:42

all the people reprimanding veena for “inappropriate clothing” and “conduct” including the “disgusting massages” and the “watching bigg boss without your father” comments have *obviously* seen the show, to know such minute details (including myself).

if you found it so offensive and so unacceptable to living your life as good muslims or good pakistanis, then why did you watch it?
ABBASI says:
January 24, 2011 at 10:27

great work indeed!! totally agree wid ur opinion..
Ayesha Ali says:
January 24, 2011 at 10:18

Why do we even discuss all these NON issues? If we dont have some legislations pro/against all this indo- Pak media partnership then we dont have aright to criticize or defend anyone. Let people live their lives………….
Rahul says:
January 24, 2011 at 9:55

If I was Veena, I would have responded to the mufti as follows: “I never claimed to represent the best of Islam..I am not Islam’s representative, so just keep quiet”. Perhaps Mufti Sahab u should preach to those who claim to represent Islam..I dont !
vk says:
January 24, 2011 at 9:54

Well written,
Had watched that talk show on express and feel the same way I felt while watching the show….. She has been made the target because she is female….. and what not even the host agreed that had she been to some western reality show, things might not have been that bad……stop this obsession……..
Ravi says:
January 24, 2011 at 9:48

This seems like a sensible article. Although, the fact this issue is an issue itself tells you where things stand. My Pakistani friends tell me that Dawn is “liberal” outlet which does not reflect the opinion of common man in Pakistan. All I can say is that I would rather have rational people being liberal
Waqar says:
January 24, 2011 at 8:54

Well let it clear,

First we have to make internal stuff according to Islam then we should for external image. And yes women is always treated as soft target, and I am dam sure women will be treated like this for always! No need to comment on Veena, look yourself why u watched that show? Is it allowed in Islam?
Maaz Wasiq says:
January 24, 2011 at 6:24

Well Islam do have right for women…….but it does not allow a Muslim women to perform such kind of acts…..We Pakistanis show admit that corruption is deep in to the core……nobody has any sense of good or evil…..well i saw the TV program that Venna Malik did on th e news channel well Venna Malik is wrong what so ever but at some points the mufti or what ever he is was also wrong…..if Venna Malik is a Muslim she should not had performed the act…….and the clip that they showed at the end that she was praying….well some one please tell Venna Mailk that there are five prayers in a day not only one at night….

MAY ALLAH(SWT) KEEP US ON THE RIGHT PATH.
Hassan Bashir says:
January 24, 2011 at 6:10

I have never been a fan of Veena Malik (with perhaps one exception – her impersonation of Reema), yet, she has my full support because of the manner in which she defended her position. She is right on the dot when she pointed out out that corrupt politicians, those who use religion for personal and political gain, morally bankrupt maulvis, and other abusers of power are the ones who give Pakistan the bad name. I fully support her and even admire the fact that instead of apologizing she has defended herself. I wish there were more like her in our so called silent majority which I guess should now be renamed – hypocrite majority!
Ilmana Fasih says:
January 24, 2011 at 4:56

I whole heartedly support that there should be no moral policing for anyone be it a male or a female.

Unfortunately I donot find any new food for thought in your write up . All you did was to narrate the KS show and then repeat the age old mediocre questions of women being accountable and not men or that the moral police donot talk of other issues. We all know this and discuss this 24×7 with our colleagues, subordinates or even maasis. Please come up with stuff which triggers the neurons not just that fills the blog space.

And yes you did come up with something wierdly new that Veena Malik represents `you`.
Even if it metaphorical, she does not represent the mindset of a common woman. Maybe yes she represents you, but she certainly does not represent me or my poor oppressed sisters of Pakistan. Just to support a bullied woman ( who I support too) do not give this tag of `Veena Malik`to my suffering sisters.
asiya says:
January 25, 2011 at 1:02

Ilmana, i absoultely agree with ur comment, this is all same boring old stuff and yess i m agree that veena malik not represent my all pakistani sisters she represent only a specfic class with a specific kind of mindset, so this shuldnt be the issue to debate but the issue is how can we all participate to improve the living status of pakistanies without gender differences, there are lots more issues lets take a first step towards positive attitude and healthy mindset and start thinking about our participation in core issues towards betterment,
second i love ur name , its Ilmana , i want this name for my daughter can u pleas tell me the meaning of this name my email id is magnon_orion@hotmail.com
Goga Nalaik says:
January 24, 2011 at 4:49

Bravo Sana for this excellent article.
Most of these molvis or fatwa dealers will not be able to read and eventually understan it.
You should get it published in urdu journal so that it can be read ( and understood) by them.

Keep Up the good work

Goga Nalaik
Qambber Hussain says:
January 24, 2011 at 4:29

Ok well, the thing about the Moulvi accusing Veena and her defending herself was one thing and probably what one would expect to see. The strange part was the fact that the Anchor was being judgmental when he is not suppose to have a say in it …

The fact that she had to defend herself when the anchor had already created a very negative air by being judgmental makes me side with Veena. It does not matter to me what she did on a moral front because I would primarily like to question the moralities of the people setting up this show …
Aamir says:
January 24, 2011 at 4:28

Love you Veena, keep it up and live your life
John Bhouy says:
January 24, 2011 at 4:12

Well written. Although i’m not attuned to the entertainment world and have never liked Veena when i have seen little of her on TV, i’m on her side in this battle. You’re article reminded me of a book i have recently read. In articulating what’s wrong with Pakistan, Tariq ali mentions a “hydra-headed” beast that’s destroying the country: Mullahs, America, Corruption and Miltary.

Let people live the lives they want to! Long live brave women of Pakistan who have fought with the hydra-headed beast on from all fronts!

John.
Umer Hasan says:
January 24, 2011 at 3:55

Mufti Sahib coming on T.V and Criticizing Veena Malik did not make any sense. Both Belonging to different Fields were throwing random talks to each other, the Talk was not even a civilized talk. and not to mention a total waste of Time.

Id’ say the whole fault is of the T.V Channel, and to be honest they don’t care they want them ratings. The Host and the show everyone wants ratings no one cares about the country.
and Mufti Sahib said that they are Ahluttasawwuf? Eh? Do Ahle Tasawwuf finger points one person in the whole society of corrupt rather than fixing the society itself? and not focusing on one self? eh!! eh eh!! its Just like saying we have arrested one man from the army (probably Innocent) , thus we have destroyed the whole army of Bad.

Were it the molana was real ahluttasawwuf he probably would not even have enough time to do this. ITs simple and clear cut Molana Wants rating just by harrasing a mentally disturbed women, including the host and the T.V Channel
Mubashir Ali says:
January 24, 2011 at 3:35

After watching the PK TV show on you tube and reading this article and some comments, I must say we take things extremely as usual, and not merit, or emotionally enough not to understand mistakes correctly but take things on emotional side of it, this brings me to conclude that what veena did was wrong and not good by any mean you take her representing Pakistan or representing herself, on the other hand the local TV show on this was extremely biased and not a debit based, once again they need to care about professional side of conducting such show this is absolutely wrong to have a show run in a way they can project a drama to earn their popularity purpose, and finally MS sane your article sounds more like an exercise of your emotions after you saw the Local TV show, I feel you got touched by the feeling of what they did with veena was wrong and forgot that what veena did was also wrong, so you got this all emotionally wrong to present things in a way you did above, and your emotions made this article biased too, as Pakistani we need to judge things on merit and not extremely…..
Asim says:
January 24, 2011 at 2:52

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3jo0L0pjXg&feature=related
After watching this wat would u say miss sana!!!!
matlab ek aurat ghatiya kaam kar sakti hai per agar koi use us ke kaaamo pe sharam dilaye to wo besharam kehlaye!!! wah kya baat hia!!
Emmon Khan says:
January 24, 2011 at 23:12

Dont watch such things man that make you angry! Watch some ’tilawat’ or not ‘naat’ on Youtube instead and chill!


Ragu says:
January 24, 2011 at 2:32

No one is forced to watch Veena Malik’s performance on TV; If it makes you sick just turn off; Pakistani Mullahs has as much right to condemn her acts; But most often they INCITE violence and killing in the name of religious mandate. Such Mullahs “harm” a great country , a great culture and a great religion. I have SO many cultured and educated Pakistani friends that I almost can not believe that such ‘Moral Mullahs’ can be created in the same country that produces so many noble human beings.
Ramzan Chandio says:
January 23, 2011 at 21:01

Hi Ma’m Sana
it was really very inspiring write up. It is fact that this male chauventist soceity has double standards towards women.
i totally agree with views shared in articile.
keep it up
Ramzan Chandio
Karachi
Mubashir Ali says:
January 24, 2011 at 3:51

I am afraid I will have to second your thoughts on this as I really don’t agree with the term male dominating society has double standards, however I do agree that we do need to correct ourselves to treat women fairly and righteously, But to expect the society not to be male dominating is contradictory to nature and Islamic way, the way Islam want us practicing Islam in daily life makes it obvious to have things male dominated In Islamic Culture, But at the same time males need to feel the responsibility of doing it rightly and not destroying the female rights as described by Islam…
zeeshan dogar says:
January 23, 2011 at 19:07

The ‘Ghairat Brigades’, as you have so eloquently put it, criticise all aspects of what has gone wrong in Pakistani society. The incident with Veena Malik has simply gotten more publicity because it was on a popular television show.
samar says:
January 23, 2011 at 18:25

I find it truly amazing how so many men passing their moral judgments on Veena are at the same time looking for adult photos of actresses on the internet and also have probably seen many episodes of Biggboss. No wonder I am single, every time I try and date someone in this country, I get a whiff of that mufti or that terrible anchor from the person. when will men grow up?
Hassam says:
January 24, 2011 at 10:48

Haha so very true; the ‘mufti’ on the show himself admitted that 100s of young people who watch bigboss told him of their disapproval of Veena’s actions. How these men are aloof to the innate hypocrisy of watching bigboss or googling actresses photos while passing moral judgments on Veena is beyond me. We live in a hyper-judgmental society with extremely vivid self-reflecting mirrors. And worse still is when it is a conformist society with no respect or desire for individual liberty. In our male dominated world, seems unlikely the men will grow up anytime soon, I feel for you.
Hashem says:
January 23, 2011 at 18:22

The author wrote and i quote:-
“In a country, struggling with insurgencies, poverty, inflation, and failure of governance, what Veena Malik did or said on a reality show should be the least of our concerns.”
Then why write a whole article about it???
An article to address and rectify the “energy crisis” would have been more appropriate!!! Don’t you think???
mona says:
January 24, 2011 at 10:43

writing article on energy crisis would be appropriate for you…but for me as a women i would prefere to read and discuss women crisis in this country …it is my request to all men please pay little concern on women rights…..why all the time women rights are neglacted…..why we are answerable for all the thing….i totaly agree with the auther that its a high time please stop this discremination…& plase stop critising veen for her act…dont pass any judgment & fatwa
Ali Inayat says:
January 24, 2011 at 7:37

Well Said. “At the end of the programme, a teary-eyed Veena questioned the absence of outrage from her fellow countrymen, when she was being abused, bullied and subjected to hate for being a Pakistani on the same show. In those last minutes, she struck at the very heart of hypocrisy that is rampant in this country.” … Veena Malik shouldn’t have been on the show in the first place.

And with respect to her being in the limelight for her actions are others not… she took part in one of the most popular shows in India, at a time when the society is increasingly focusing on introspection, obviously it was going to be an issue.
sana khan says:
January 24, 2011 at 4:45

i highlyyy agree with you..!!!
Mehwish says:
January 23, 2011 at 18:17

Dear Sana,
i totally agree with what you have written..
who are muftis to judge or to give fatwas? if he was bringing Islam again and again.. then he should have pointed out SARA KHAN as well.. she is a muslim as well.. and she used to wear really short clothes in the house as well.. ive never liked veena malik.. but they way she stood up for herself was amazing.. i was so proud of her answers that she gave to the mufti to shut him up..firstly i think the anchor should of these kind of shows should be neutral. they shouldnt criticize or judge anyone..he was also talking very rudely with her..
so i dont know if people would agree with me or not.. but ii think.. the way the mufti was attacking her..is not the right thing to doo..
Laraib Mohib says:
January 23, 2011 at 18:13

Ma’am Sana. it is like u just wrote all my thoughts. i agree with you on this completely.
Mustahsin Qamar says:
January 23, 2011 at 17:49

i want sana to answer my question…
forget that show for a while and religious values as well… but still does sana appriciate role of veena in that show… i dint see any of indian actresses in that show doing those actions which she was doing.. veena said y we dint stood up when people were abusing her on that show.. the answer is we dint requested veena to go there… n these were her acts which were responsible for those abusive language… is Sana proud Veena of watching veena all of those actions… do sana Own those actions?
and as far as our other actresses are concerend.. if they are wearing dirty clothes in movies does it mean veena can wear those… this is not an excuse that everyone is doing bad so i must be doing bad as well….
that show was about veena malik thats y she was questioned… if the show was about some1 else abviously veena was not supposed to be questioned….
y every guilty in our country says that other people do the wrong stuff so y cant i do that…

PLEASE ANSWER SANA… DO YOU OWN ALL THOSE ACTIONS? ARE YOU PROUD OF VEENA AFTER THAT SHOW? WAS VEENA ORIGINAL IN THE THAT SHOW OR SHE WAS DOING ALL THOSE THINGS JUST TO GET ATTENTION OF PEOPLE FROM INDIAN FILM INDUSTRY? CAN SHE BE ALLOWED TO DO ANYTHING ON TV JUST TO GET A ROLE IN AN INDIAN MOVIE OR DRAMA CONSIDERING SHE IS HAVING PAKISTANI NIC AND PASSPORT… please answer sana… hope I will get honest answers…
Shahbaz Younis says:
January 24, 2011 at 15:20

Totally agree with Qamar, Sana u should answer to those questions.
Alla Uddin says:
January 24, 2011 at 12:29

Bhai sahab, dont you know what is already happening in Pakistani entertainment scene? Punjabi Stage Shows, etc, do actresses in Pakistan wear Hijab everywhere? the question you asking Sana, happens daily in Pakistani TV serials, i dont know any mulla standing against anything.. are they not in the same race of power and money?
Sameer Badar says:
January 24, 2011 at 10:59

First of all, Ms. Saleem wrote this article NOT in favor of Veena Maliks actions on the show but in defense of the wrongful way the anchor and Mufti were dragging out her personal choices and passing judgment on them. If they didn’t support her good decisions then they certainly don’t have the right to question her bad ones. And neither do you.
Secondly Veena Malik is part of the entertainment industry which does not represent the population of Pakistan. If she went to India and wore whatever she did, she represented herself and her industry NOT the masses. Its true that if a man went in her place no one would have questioned him at all. Judgmental, chauvinist men like you need to watch your own women and keep your mouth shut about others.
Passing judgment or demanding answers is not your job, it is God’s. Or do you not trust God to make informed decisions?
Sana Saleem or Veena Malik or any other woman of this country or this world is not answerable to you or anyone else except Him. Judging them is a sin for a human being. You have sinned.
Go do something useful with your life and learn to respect people.

@Ms. Saleem, I apologize on behalf of all the men and woman who have misinterpreted your article. Please continue to be a voice of reason and justice. God bless you.
wajahat says:
January 24, 2011 at 9:28

I totally agree!!!
As far as that program (front line) and this blog is concerned all I think is both were a waste of tym!!

And as far as Veens’s question is concerned that y she is the victim, do u think she wanted to portray that we target women and she z representing the women community, NO!!!!

She is making a melodrama out of it, and is thinking of her as a huge celebrity and whole country is so much concerned about her!!

@blogger
Ma’am plese get to the core of her mentality, dont just get impressed by her crocodile tears!!
mona says:
January 24, 2011 at 17:44

the article is not in a favor of veena malik…..it is on women rights…veena malik have done some disrepcetful thing but she is answerable to Allah not to the peoples…so stop discussing her
farah says:
January 23, 2011 at 17:46

well i dont know y people here are so supportive of veena… the way mufti or the host judged her was wrong, but what she has been doing on the show cannot be justified… i just watched one episode, and i was ashamed to see her massaging that guy i dont knw his name, it was disgusting!!! and OURS is NOT a free society, we have some norms and values, our women should realize that no matter what we say or do to make it a society in which males and females are equal, we can never make it that way. a women looks decent and dignified when she is covered.. i dont know where the girls in our society are going….
Zain Siddiqui says:
January 24, 2011 at 4:11

Why don’t you keep you and your daughters in religious garb- you have that freedom. Let other people do/wear what they wish as well. If the show or Veena’s practices offend you, then may I suggest you switch your channel to something else. Live and let live.
farah says:
January 25, 2011 at 9:44

just like u, i have the freedom to say what i feel like saying… i dnt know y u got offended..
Nasir Abbas says:
January 23, 2011 at 18:38

I think you are mixing it up. There is a difference between supporting someone and defending from being singled out.
shafaq says:
January 24, 2011 at 9:16

hi farah, what veena did in that show is exactly what our media proudly shows on T.V in the form of dramas, music videos or even every day advertisement. That does not mean veena was right in doing it all but it proves how deep rooted this menace of vulgarity is in our society.
i can name more than a dozen Pakistani music videos, Dramas on private channels, where actresses dress up and do all sorts of vulgar stuff that you cannot watch with your family, but our media keeps airing them and no body says a word.
farah says:
January 25, 2011 at 9:40

that is what i am saying shafaq, that i dont know where our society is going…everywhere, not just on tv there is vulgarity and people who have forgotten what their values are…
Abd says:
January 23, 2011 at 16:52

Brave you, keep on writting in favor of independence of women. You column (Blog) will certainly help veena to work boldly.
Moulvi and Mulla are SHO now in this country. Culture is changed. Now every one had to keep identity cards issued by Mullas that our Islam and faith is intact.

Abd
Das says:
January 23, 2011 at 16:35

Completely agree with Sana and Veena Malik – every human being has to individually respond to God for his/her sins – Who are we or these mullahs to issue Fatwas against anyone. I have not been a great fan of Veena but Kudus to her courage and the way she responded to all questions. Secondly a host of such shows should be un-biased; and in this case Mr Kamran Shahid anchoring was pathatic not only in terms of his role as well as the use of language. I strongly believe a proper training should be given to all anchors by media channels, as they tend to represent the country as well.
pawan says:
January 23, 2011 at 14:36

Its unfortunate to see that some people like one mufti on pak tv in pakistan are linking veena malik performance at big boss with islam,it was just a TV show and she was an actor there nothing more then that,one mufti at tv making alleagation is surprising even in India people did not make allegations ,however veena …malik gave her replies with courage to all allegations,In india even more no of muslims are living then pakistan and they never treat muslim women in such way as far as i remember
yousuf says:
January 23, 2011 at 14:32

well articulated review by SS
kuky says:
January 23, 2011 at 14:30

I am not fan of veena Malik but her interview made me to think about other avenue as well…

Well before attacking veena for her act in Big Boss by mullhas and audience….they should look around in the fashion industry and tele..wat our actresses and models doing and wat kinda outfit they wearin..not even in the programs…also in their personal lives…I was kinda lyked the AYESHA UMER and happend to see her pix on the internet i was shocked by seeing her personal pix..they are also on internet we did watch then why we didnt complaint about that..why because she and other actesses doing within country so they are allowed to do watever they want to do… and attacked veena she did outside the country…Point is what is wrong that’s wrong..whether you do within country or outside the ocuntry… wat she did in Big boss..same thing happenin in our ELITE class..first they shud impose fatwa on that…and also we shud stop watchin the paki channels then..because we cant watch even a drama on our NATIOnal channel with our family…Pvt channles cumes later but we still watch them..whether we doing in reality or in drama thats wrong..we do watch in dramas but if she did in reality we started pointing her out…at least she got guts to confess it…how hypcrite people we are… first we have to clear ourselves..then comment on mullhas act and veena’s act…
Ayesha says:
January 23, 2011 at 14:10

i hated that,it was very awkward that she had to face it all,nobody had the right to do so.i hope veena you read this but the fact is as i see you didnt do anything wrong,you were just being you.leave them all.forget about what they say.
amit says:
January 23, 2011 at 13:41

in that Show mufti made a comment “on one hand Sania an indian muslim married to pakistani and on other hand veena had done….” How are these two things correlated? Does it mean that Sania has made some thing to make Islam or pakistan proud but veena have done just opposite
zir says:
January 23, 2011 at 13:38

people are clearly over reacting because it was an indian show – had it been a hollywood stint people would have most probably ignored it. and besides veena was selected for her “abilities” not her morals -whatever they may be!
it was a “reality” show – not some pre written soap opera so apparently veena wasnt acting
Y. Bukhari says:
January 23, 2011 at 13:38

I will not justify Veena Malik for everything she did on Big Boss.
By no means Veena Malik Represents Pakistani Women, as our women do not relate to Veena’s actions / dressess.
Although Veena Malik at this moment is a victim of discrimination in a patriarchal society. She should have been careful.
As far as our country’s cricket is concerned, it is not Veena Malik who has humiliated a cricket star. He himself is one of the main convict in spot fixing allegations.
Ms. Sana….. At this moment it is our duty to stop promoting non issues.
Ayesha Hoda says:
January 23, 2011 at 13:06

Totally agree with you! The focus is always on how a woman is dressing or behaving rather than the bigger, real issues in society. Keep up the good work!
Danyal says:
January 23, 2011 at 14:37

Veena Malik representing Pakistan? This must be a joke,the only reason she would go there would be to increase her popularity and make some money while doing it.I havent watched the show in india or the one with the mufti but reading the article and specially the comments, it is foolish to suggest and believe that she was representing Pakistan.The author is quite right when she says that there is a social prejudice towards women but with more people, men and women alike getting educated this prejudice would change into mutal respect.But Veena Malik representing her and many other women of the country!?? Seriously!??
Hasan Afaq says:
January 23, 2011 at 12:55

Reading this blog totally changes the perception of the issue. I do not get the point, why on earth a mufti would even argue with veena malik ? why? I mean is there any confusion regarding what she did was right or wrong ?
All this talk show did was creating a soft corner for the star thats it !
I am by no means taking mufti’s or the host’s side, all they did was wasting an hour of the viewers. Making un-islamic things seek sympathy and making it acceptable in the society. What she did was no more then whats done on our very own land in the fashion and cinema industry, but that does not justifies her acts.
Sana Saleem i respect you and your articles which i am actually fond of, but this piece of literature… Sorry !
May Allah guide us all to the right path.
Dr.P.P.Singh Chadha says:
January 23, 2011 at 12:52

Bravo…Veena Malik. You are a dignified and true person. Those who cannot defend themselves from these self-made holymen,who keep on invading the life and privacy of sincere and “good at heart”
persons like you,don’t have many friends. You have the backing of millions of people of this sub-continent,specially people of India and many in your country of origin-Pakistan. Keep the kite of spirits
flying high despite the hot and impure wind of opposition. Yeh naam-nehad mulla-pandits aap ki patchaain ko bhi nahin chhu sakte. Zindabad veena Malik- Long live Veena.

Dr.P.P.Singh Chadha
Delhi(India)
Maliha Abidi says:
January 23, 2011 at 12:32

Awesome piece. Well penned. Chords struck true. Keep it up, we need people like you.
Rubaya Khan says:
January 23, 2011 at 13:09

I totally agree with u !!!!!
Zartashia says:
January 24, 2011 at 10:59

Nicely written peice of article which is clearly justified. Hats off to sana. Keep it up
Khalid says:
January 23, 2011 at 12:27

Thanks Sana for a well written article. I happened to watch another show on one of the TV channels where young people sitting with syed noor and Sania Saeed, and I was shocked by the comments Syed Noor was giving. You can observe the hypocracy of the society at this show with only few talking sense. I am a frequent traveller and I have been witness to what Pakistani do when they reach far away land. I think we should leave Ms Malik what she has done is in her personal capicity and as a professional entertainer she has all the right to persue her carrier. She was not officially sent or oficially representing the country so there is no point in defaming the country or either Islam as she was not representing muslims either.
wajeeha says:
January 23, 2011 at 12:11

i just wana ask sana.. was she able to see that show with her father and brother?? weren’t u ashamed when ur father talked with your mother that a paki actress is acting disgustingly at the show… there were many indian actresses at that show but all of them were far more decent than “veena malik”.. she seemed like the most desperate women out there… i agree that mufti sahib has no right to give a fatwa at her deeds as nuthing was new that hasn’t been done before by our actresses..but at least u could condemn what u see wrong… so please stop justifying her n go watch what she did at that show..
Zain Siddiqui says:
January 24, 2011 at 4:44

Look if you don’t like the show, turn it off! Why should people modify their lifestyles or what they wear to please you? No one has right to infringe on what Person A does or does not. The only exception is when what Person A does threatens or harms Person B.
Engr Abid Ali says:
January 23, 2011 at 14:12

Yes i gree with wajeeha.
pinky says:
January 24, 2011 at 4:01

ALHAMDULLILAH! bravo! i totally agree with your comments wajeeha, u have said all i wanted to say brilliant.

FOR God sake people u must say if u see something wrong in your societies, this does not mean that if other people r doing bad stuff ,we got the licence to do that as well so please do say wrong there n then!
AFTER all we r Muslims and answeable to GOD . R we going to say pahley dosree buri chessein khatum hoteen to hum theek hotey?

May Allah guide all of us to the right path ameen.
sabah says:
January 23, 2011 at 14:08

oh please wajeeha.. didn’t u get a single thing what sana saleem has presented in front of us?
she is neither backing her up for what she did in that reality show, nor is she saying that it was great fun to watch that “Pakistani” girl walk in front of cameras dressed like that and do things which really are against our religion. It’s about the way these people are “over reacting” they surely have no right to say all that. Instead of doing this if they would’ve made a fatwa regarding the innocent killings, injustice and so on, that trust me would’ve been acceptable. but this purely is “hypocrisy” or u can even say “pathetic thinking” of these people. Who can only sit in air conditioned rooms but when asked to do something useful acts for the country or religion’s sake, they simply back out!
I wish you’ll change your point of view soon. Because what you are thinking makes you like one of them.
And I’m sure you don’t want to be like that.
Khalid Nadeem says:
January 23, 2011 at 13:48

U r Absolutely Right Wajeeha…………..
There were more Indian Actress but they were not behaving in this manner. It was not a pornatic show. It was a reality show and Veena malik made it Adult show.
Hasan Afaq says:
January 23, 2011 at 12:57

I second you wajeeha ! If everyones doing bad ,that does not mean doing bad should be made legalized
Hopefull says:
January 23, 2011 at 12:42

problem with us we condemning those people we know they wont come kill you and your family.if you wanna condemn then there is bombing of sufi shrines and other horendous things in the name of religion and being a women in pakistan it means your are inferior and you can deny all of that but its a fact and I think you better wake up
proud to be Hindu dr. from UK says:
January 23, 2011 at 13:28

Is Islam so weak a woman can bring it in danger? Is it not better to spend this time and resources to do something for those who are suffering in millions from earthquake, child prostitution in this land of pure or equally important issues, where the name of Islam can be glorified? This holy man is just using such words towards a girl, thou calling her sister. Shame if he be speaking to her sister?
Shamefully and strange people can spend time to criticizes some ones personnel matter and force their way of thinking so hypocrite. Those who are themselves pure should preach to another human being, but first see in your heart how clean you yourself are.
Zehra says:
January 24, 2011 at 5:48

It isn’t about Islam being in danger. I don’t think Islam has anything to do with this matter, I completely agree with Veena Malik that religion is something that is between God and her.
The comment which frustrated most of the Pakistani’s was when she said that she was REPRESENTING all the women of Pakistan. This I think isn’t right. Her actions on bigg boss (i hope you have watched it) were cheap and vulgar. LEAVING her clothing aside, her attitude DID NOT represent pakistani women at all. If you compare her to other indian actresses, you would actually see the difference. The Mulla on the show was just SAD!…I am sorry to say, he had NO knowledge WHATSOEVER on what Islam really is.
sarfraz says:
January 23, 2011 at 12:02

and yeah there’s a difference between being audacious and being shameless and in her case the latter holds.
Babar Suleman says:
January 23, 2011 at 11:57

Absolutely agree. This is just another case of sexism.
hasan tariq says:
January 23, 2011 at 11:56

Sana i am not a fan of venna and did not like fatwa as it get abused. but like to state few lines on your blog esp this line..

“Not that they should, but has anyone ever questioned Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan or the numerous others who have worked in Indian films, produced music and music videos in India? Has anyone ever scrutinised their actions?”

I never seen Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar and Raha Fateh Ali Khan on any inidan national and live program like Big Bros. Where they flirt with girls on live show. hug and sleep with girls in front of live camera.

Now second statement. When Vena said i am representing entertainment industry. when any actor or actress work on movie they have to follow the scripts. so all there action or words are scripted.

but on reality shows like big bros there is no script. every individual shows their personal skills and humor and personality.

see all female candidate which present in big bro shows and see vena clips u can easily compare can u see vena clips with ur family. I am sure ur answer no… so its simple her action was vulgar…not shocked with host comments.

We all has to realise we have courage to say what is wrong is wrong and in same what is right and stand by it.

As a nation we are confused we try to put lot of cover on wrong thing and debate this is right..

Sorry to say because of Vena our image went wrong. i think so we should have law and give these ppl sitting in media industry a code of conduct. what they can do and they can;t do…

Sana Saleem you need more research before making some conclusion.

best of luck in future.
Zehra says:
January 24, 2011 at 5:59

I second this!
The mullah on the show, i’m sorry to say, hardly possessed any knowledge..
But that doesnt mean Veena was right!
Ghalib says:
January 23, 2011 at 11:22

I think no individual can represent the whole country, it is her choice to do what she feels like doing as long as she is not harming anybody else.

As for your comment on the moral conditions of our country agree with you 100% I saw educated youth (highly educated) supporting the Murder of Salman Taseer, I may not agree with what he stood for but how does that justify killing him. There were Jews living in Madina at the time of the Rasulallah (SAW) and they used to turn to him for justice and settle there disputes.

We as a nation are on the brink of self destruction and biggest reason for that is that we have all created our own definition of Islam, and desperately want to finish off everybody who does agree with us.

Just lets Grow up.
Pratham (bangalore) says:
January 23, 2011 at 13:30

True!!!

We may have our own opinion on any issue but that does not legitimatize us to kill people. Let the law of land take the due course of action.
Hamza Farooq says:
January 23, 2011 at 11:11

Applause to you conclusion, we are like that as you explained, we do have double standards, for example countrymen will feel free to stare woman walking even wearing hijab, But STOP dont stare this sisters and mothers !!!!!!!! Shame on the such people who keep following ladies or comment on their dresses etc
Sanaz says:
January 23, 2011 at 10:45

Well I found the audacity respectful she said “I work in the Entertainment Industry(cheap) n everyone knows what the industry is, u can search on the internet, and that’s what I am”. she is right Pakistan film Industry is like that and she did not make it….She is accepting her degraded status blatantly and she says “I have to feed five sisters and a family” ….my sympathies are with her yar HUMANITY is the ultimate religion for me!!!! Any day anytime
n on this let me tell u a Story that I once heard I am bad with names so I don’t remember who said it…..
Once there was a woman with bad character n next to her lived a religious preacher…she had a son too…The religious man had not sinned even once in his life yet when he died he was sent to hell on questioning God he was answered that the woman whom you thought was having visitors at the odd hours of the night and you were annoyed of the voices and you had complained about her n it was your Noble status that got her thrown out of the only home she had ……was actually looking after her sick son that night and was making many visits to the washroom…That woman’s son got more sick later and died!!!!! So my question to all Are we the only one with problems and do we have the authority or the wisdom to differ between right and wrong I am a mere human and Oh God I am not capable of discerning what you might find right or wrong
sarfraz says:
January 23, 2011 at 11:53

resposibilities don’t mean that you do raunchy stuff in a reality show that too in india. i am surprised you bought that argument. she would have been making enough money in Pakistan to support her family so she didnt have to do it out of resposibility. i mean how dare she! she was representing our country for crying out loud. at the end of the day it shows her character which i doubt she at all has. like i said, disgrace to women, that’s what she is. and i regret to say that the cited anecdote is completely irrelevant here. what she did is what we all have watched on the TV so there’s not the faintest doubt about its being objectionable. and then she says ‘i did not cross the limit’, well for her i dont think there would be a limit. shameless!
Waqas says:
January 23, 2011 at 14:19

“resposibilities don’t mean that you do raunchy stuff in a reality show that too in India.”

Sooo let me get this straight, she can do “raunchy stuff” in Pakistan, thats fine with you,, but she cant do “raunchy stuff” in India?
Bushra Hassan says:
January 23, 2011 at 10:44

What a brilliant article. You write really really really well. and I agree with you SO MUCH. Kudos to Veena
Sameer says:
January 23, 2011 at 10:12

You should know fatwa is only given for situation for which there is no ruling and Rape/Killing is already illegal under Islamic law. So please stop expecting moral brigade to give fatwa against something (which is already illegal)

As for Atif Aslam, did he do something similar to what Veena Malik did? Btw do you know there was someone who filed petition in court against Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for his blasphemous lyrics. So please stop complaining why people are not questioning morality of male artist.

Veena Malik works in entertaintment and people in Pakistan have every right to complain about her performance.
Rihat says:
January 23, 2011 at 13:49

What about complaining about performance of some clerics?
Ahmed says:
January 23, 2011 at 10:11

Sana totally agree with you and Veena. I want to comment on one line that she said on the show, “If a terrorist explodes the bomb in India and it is found from his belongings that he has a Pakistani passport, does he shame Pakistan or me?”. I could not agree more with her. She never had any impact on me as an actress but her stature as a human being increased manyfold after seeing her interview.
sarfraz says:
January 23, 2011 at 10:11

serves her right. she’s a disgrace to the women.
naren says:
January 23, 2011 at 12:01

well said boy! But her only crime is, she is a woman and she doesn’t want to go the way the people like you want.
Salman says:
January 23, 2011 at 10:04

It would’ve been better if the Indians had invited somebody other than Veena Malik….
rk singh says:
January 24, 2011 at 13:02

Dear Salman, it was not “Indians” who invited Veena. It was Salman Khan. He owns the show. Not our PM. Anyways Veena did not do anything for which u should hand ur head in shame.
Mukesh says:
January 24, 2011 at 3:28

Well it wasnt indians who invited anybody. It was a contract between a private TV channel & Veena. Why do we have to think everything on national levels.
Haqs says:
January 23, 2011 at 10:02

Couldn’t have said it better.
Khushal says:
January 23, 2011 at 10:02

I totally changed my mind about Veena Malik specially after watching the last few bits of the show, even my friends, though we’re well educated and all but its in our veins to follow what the rest of the lot says despite researching on the issue ourselves. I know Veena may have a bit over acted in the show, but well first of all its her personal life, secondly she is not the sole contractor of Pakistan’s image, finally she made it to the show only because of her efforts and no one elses. Whatever the case maybe, the mullahs here like Veena said should have more important to discuss rather than talking about “Hamari Behen” insulting Pakistan and spoiling its image. I mean, the most embarrassing moment was calling Ashmeet Patel and actually asking him if Veena was a liar or what… what messages does this convey to anyone else watching the show, its the show last night, and the discussion that keeps going on again n again which is bringing shame to an already wrecked country.

Veena best of luck
Junaid says:
January 23, 2011 at 9:56

in simple words ‘you should be the change you want in the world’

P.S. Nice acting by Veena at the end of the show!
samyak gowda says:
January 23, 2011 at 9:51

I happened watch the 1996 movie OSAMA yesterday.

The widespread hypocrisy (when comes to dealing with women) in the muslim world today is no different from the widespread hypocrisy among Hindus over a century ago, (I’m mainly talking about Brahmins here) not that it has completely reformed today! It’s also no different from the hypocrisy that existed in Christianity over 500 years ago.

But the big difference is, in spite of all hypocrisies, both Christian and Hindu society throughout thousands of years of history (or two thousand in case of Christianity), has always embraced to new theories and changes (No wonder, Hinduism gave rise to four new religions and yet co-exist). I don’t see that happening in the Muslim world. The example is the murder of Salman Taseer. An opposing opinion is crushed.

I hope things do change. There simply is no reason why religion should take precedence over humanity. Oh and believe me, there’s no such thing called as a perfect religion or a complete way of life.
T. Khattak says:
January 23, 2011 at 9:27

Bravo! Bravo! Miss Veena Malik. I did watch her exchange with the the mullah and the demi mullah host on the internet. She stood her ground and stood for herself. Hats off to her. I wish all Pakistani women would stand up for their right to live life the way they choose to, not through the dictates of self assigned monitors and licensed beard bearers toward the the morals of others, who are blind to their own hollow souls and short-comings. Bravo again Miss Veena Malik.
sam says:
January 23, 2011 at 8:49

Sana Very well written. Good Luck with all those hipocrites around. Host should know invited guests are shown lot more decency.
Saleem Jutt says:
January 23, 2011 at 8:39

As a Pakistani man I find Veena’s spirit to fight back daring and courageous. Why can not this mufti be tried for insulting a Pakistani woman before the world audience in this non sense manner. No wonder people of the nations laugh when they hear about these Pakistani fatwas. What kind of laws do we have in our country that we can not protect a woman from this mufti. Is not this an abuse of clergy rank? In any other civilized country he will be tried for jeopardizing the life and safety of another citizen.The laws are made for people not the other way around. Islam does not give him what he is claiming as his sole property. The founder of Pakistan had a vision of a progressive Pakistan. The mufti and his cohorts take the Holy Quran, Islam and the whole idea of Pakistan hostage. The likes of this mufti is the reason why Pakistan can not progress. We take one step forward and two steps backwards. At this rate it wont be too long before Pakistani women will end up in the caves of Afghanistan. And that’s exactly where this mufti wants to take the Pakistani women. I was not her fan but I am proud that Veena is fighting back like a man whereas it makes me sad to see that our mullahs have been acting girlish.
Idris says:
January 23, 2011 at 8:27

i am with u sana
ANONYMOUS says:
January 23, 2011 at 7:53

Veena Malik’s actions on Big Boss may not be representative of the Pakistani woman but her stance on the talk show was. The ghiarat brigade always stands up for non issues. Where is their ghairat when women like Veena Malik perform vulgar dances on stage everyday for the so called entertainment of the members of this same crowd to earn a living. Where is their ghairat when 9 year old girls are gang raped. Where is their ghairat when husbands beat their wives to death for not bringing enough dowry or giving birth to a girl child. These people will stand by and watch and even abet these heinous actions. We as a society need to be more introspective and get our priorities right. Let’s not make this about Pakistan’s image abroad. If we have concerns on that issue then let me say that battle is already lost.That TV show host and his channel should be ashamed of themselves. Their actions may have improved the TRP but just like Salman Taseer they could cost Veena Malik her life. Thank you Sana for an excellent article and for having the courage to say that she represents us , the Pakistani women.
Dr. M. Ahmed Khan says:
January 23, 2011 at 7:25

I appreciate Veena Malik for her courage in the wave of extremism in the country. Mullahs are against happiness, it is a strange similarity between Muslim clerics and Hindu extremists, both are against the happiness of people. Both are creating an environment of fear in both countries, if we look the reaction of Shive Sina and the mullahs in Pakistan, it is the same. Actually, they are afraid to face the truth of the day that is why they are trying to horrifying the general public in the name of religion. Salam to Veena and Sana.
Dr Habib ur Rehman says:
January 23, 2011 at 7:24

Veena Malik’s response to the allegations of Mufti was logical, courageous and uplifting. Uplifting in the sense that our women have the courage to speak up and challenge the mullas who think themselves guardians of religion and morality. She is right when she says “Who are you to judge me if this is between me and my God.”
Mufti was also being a hypocrite when he praised Veena for her role in steering a “Hindu” offer prayers when these same muftis send Ahmadis to jails for offering prayers. It is high time the Pakistanis get rid of these gaurdians of religion and morality and leave the judgement to God.
G.A. says:
January 23, 2011 at 7:10

Mullahs have imposed themselves upon us all. There is no intermediary between us and God. These extremists are too imcompetent to solve our day to day issues. We should make a concerted effort to shun them and their dirty politics that is destroying Muslims.
Hamza says:
January 23, 2011 at 6:48

I have some thing opposite of this blog.Well Sana you write nice blog but after reading the introduction I was sure this blog is from some woman not from Paracha. Biasness do exist every one it is in your blog too. But this all is your opinion and fortunately we are living in Democratic society. First of all please tell me on which Passport she entered in India? Do she has anything else to make an entry? I am afraid “NO”. Why she said she was representing MEDIA not PAKISTAN? she was there because of Pakistan. Second thing you point out about Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali ,Ali zafar. For your kind information they are playback singers. There job is to record a song and no matter how it picturised by India.

Do you people still think Mohd Asif need bridge to reach publicity through VEENA? This is the most common answer of Veena Malik “You are upto Soft Target”. Check all her programs. She said this in Jasmine tonight program as well.

I would like to ask every one who support Venna for all her acts. Do you allow your mother, sister, wife to earn money for the sake of her respect and Body? IF yes then waqi Phir “IS MULK KA KHUDA HE HAFIZ HAI”.
palashBD says:
January 23, 2011 at 6:39

I was surprised to see the host was ordering Veena malik..”Pye le paani pye..le” at the end of show. How can a Host treat a person in a such uncivilised way who came in his show as a guest? From the beginning to the end of show the host and the so called cleric was abusing, sluring to Veena. But Veena malik has talked with logic’s and reality where the clerics failed to answer any question putted by veena. People like kamran sahib is neither eligible to be a TV host nor to be a journalist. He should be ashamed of himself
Stephanie Rudat says:
January 23, 2011 at 6:21

Vivid and appalling, Sana Saleem continues to bravely expose shameful realities hindering a nation from progressing toward a tolerant, unified existence with others in the world. Sexist, abusive, hypocritical, oppressive leadership doesn’t work… anywhere.


Ahsan Bashir says:
January 23, 2011 at 6:19

It is good to see sensible people in Pakistan giving their opinions on the internet.
Its good to see that happening on the Dawn blog, but it will be better if someone on Dawn news and other TV channels also open up to criticize these mullahs.
That doesn’t seem to be happening right now, perhaps TV channels are scared?
EM says:
January 23, 2011 at 5:32

I completely agree with what you’ve written. Just shocked and disappointed that more people aren’t reacting to it like they should. Most people just take the whole thing as a joke, another way to make fun of Veena Malik. I admit I never liked her either, but I think its time to assess WHAT is being said, rather than WHO is saying it. And I was quite surprised to find myself agreeing with her arguments.
Raza says:
January 23, 2011 at 5:32

Sana, thank you for writing this blog. I love reading your balanced point of view on all these issue. I have new found respect for veena now, and I am immensely impressed! As someone else rightly said, she has more balls than our collective liberal society.
humaira says:
January 23, 2011 at 5:08

i have watched the program… i was disappointed with the mufti…. first of all if mufti sahab has some issue with veena malik’s action he should have contacted her personally instead of coming on the tv show and insulting her. if you want to show someone right path, you would talk to them nicely .we the people are not united. if we want to get successful like “others”, we have to be united. peace
Khalid Manzoor says:
January 23, 2011 at 4:40

In the name of Heaven, wake my Pakistani brothers, and don’t insult Islam with your petty thinking and bigotry. Get yourself educated in social and scientific subjects. Build schools, colleges and universities and educate our people. Make your country respectable and progressive.

It is a complex subject but in today’s world dominant nations export their culture and Pakistan is not immune to this change and there is nothing wrong with it, but please please don’t bring Islam in to it. Look at all the 56 or57 Islamic countries is there any thing there to be proud of?How many noble laureates have they produced? how many universities of excellence, how many Olympic medals. Islam as practised to day will never solve our woes.but education would Muslims worst enemy is present day Islam as preched and prcticed.
Mohammad Ali says:
January 23, 2011 at 4:30

So does you bibi, you did not bother to raise voice for downtrodden women crying for justice but jumped on the bandwagon for highly paid actress who had enough money to spend with her ex-boyfreind..don t u remember….She is paid for acting and dancing which has nothing to do with the Pakistani women as they have alot of misries to face instead of watching tears of actress.. She was not forced to give interview on TV show and if she had any greivence of harrasment she could quit the show or take any legal remedy provided under the law which she did not do so for reasons best known to her.
A. Shiraz says:
January 23, 2011 at 4:28

Our sympathies are with you and your gender. Our own elements it seems is enabling and encouraging the fanatics/religious crazies; read here : http://www.dawn.com/2011/01/22/veena-malik-slams-cleric-for-criticism.html

Good luck trying to get your people into the modern age. May God have mercy upon our people. What we do to innocent individuals , the rioting, the violence, the blasphemy laws, the assassinations makes everyone abroad want to give up even thinking of helping Pakistan (explains why our entrepreneurs like Abbasi would give away millions of dollars to Stanford to form an “Islamic understanding center” rather than help out Pakistan which seems to be more in need of that kind of understanding).
Desperate Existenz says:
January 23, 2011 at 4:28

The question to ask is if she did anything against the law of the land? If she did, well punish her if she did not then leave her alone. It’s between her and her God.
We probably need to learn the difference between the religious doctrine we follow and the penal code we are supposed to adhere to. Not everything immoral thing is unlawful and not every unlawful thing is immoral. I am not commending Veena Malik on her actions nor am I supporting issuing a fatwa against her …… I am merely stating that we need to keep religion and law separate.
Aiman Mughni says:
January 23, 2011 at 4:18

Very well written and summarized.
its time we realize how hypocrite we are as a nation. why watch an Indian show coming from an Indian channel, and then be judgmental and dislike our own actress only because she dresses western.
If you don’t like someone, just switch the channel. why watch it, and then continue to scrutinize & find faults?
Rohayl Hayat says:
January 23, 2011 at 4:05

You are right Sana, NO Mullah or Anyone for that matter should have any right to criticize any act by any women of Pakistan. It should be a free society, without any limits or intimidation.
Usman says:
January 23, 2011 at 3:58

a very good and impressive review.
Atul Subodh says:
January 23, 2011 at 3:58

I am an Indian living in Newyork. I do believe there are good people living in this world, and mankind still alive
because of them. After reading this blog, to my own surprise i started to believe there are good people living in Pakistan too!!!!!!! Congratulation , Sana Saleem and Veena Malik to both of you. Pakistan needs more like you than nonsense religious funatics.
S M Shah says:
January 23, 2011 at 3:50

the Mufti and Veena have a lot in common, both appeared on a tv show simply for some cheap publicity, and each one is a hero to her own audience…

we can’t continue to say, good on you veena, in the same way we cant say well done mufti saab, he should have refused to comment when he didn’t known, and veena cant undo what she has already done…

rather than everyone taking sides, why don’t we just call a spade a spade…the mufti should learn a lesson on the perils of appearing on talk shows, and veena, well i dont think veena will give up…
OTJ says:
January 23, 2011 at 3:31

True that the way she was tackled in the TV Show was unreasonable…true that this should not have been created an issue when such things are happening in our own entertainment industry….true that we have a chauvanist society that’s y men crossing the line are considered less of a wrongdoing than if women cross the line……

yet one has to admit that VM crossed the ‘line’ in the reality show and wat she did was morally wrong and socially unacceptable to many. Also during her interview she kept justifying her actions by pointing out the gravity of other wrongdoings existing in the society (the blogger also commends this justification) and by mentioning the good stuff she did during the reality show. How can a below-par action be justified because worse actions exist in the society or because some good was also delivered along with?
riaz ahmad says:
January 23, 2011 at 3:20

a product of total exploitative environment in pakistan, who will dare to cast the first stone?
Rashid says:
January 23, 2011 at 3:11

Not completely agree..We have to understand what is right and what is wrong according to our Holy Book “Quran Majeed”.May Allah guide us Ameen.

As far as Veena Malik’s arguments and explainations I found her a true actress she has got what she want.
Farhan Lallany says:
January 23, 2011 at 3:01

You make sense, Sana.

I agree with more or less everything you’ve written.

I would not say that Veena Malik’s actions on Big Boss are justified but let’s not blow them out of proportion.

Honestly, it’s time more serious issues in our society are addressed instead of a TV Actress being part of an Indian Reality TV Show and her actions on it.
Idris says:
January 23, 2011 at 3:00

I am with you Veena— your sooo right on your path soo true
shahryar says:
January 23, 2011 at 2:50

Hats off to Veena.
Anoop says:
January 23, 2011 at 2:43

At first I though Veena Malik was dumb and fake but after watching the Clips on Youtube and an Indian News Channel, I take it back.

I applaud her for what she has done. She has been herself and has not apologized for it.

She has infact brought goodwill to Pakistan, not the opposite. Coming from a non-Pakistani you better believe it.

Veena Malik, I hope she stays safe. But, if her safety is threatened she should seek exile in India, UK or some other European country.
Usman says:
January 23, 2011 at 2:43

divide the country in 2 extremes; neither islamic nor logical! Mid-way has to be applied … Your article seems more like an outburst and your frustration of what you saw; the anchors outburst was what he saw, molvis outburst is what he thinks is rite and Veena’s outburst is what she thinks rite… but i don’t want anyone to judge it rather leave it there; it gets worse when we take it to our heart and bring egos in it… Well what we are confused is about what role the woman should have in light of islam and in light of modern world, what we are confused is how we should treat a woman, a symbol of lust or a symbol of respect… No one has denied the fact that Veena’s actions were totally acceptable but if you start relating yourself to Veena then you are trying to say that all of you out their know that u screw up but still want to be left alone and ‘respected’! I guess thats not the case so dont compare to a person who has acted like a weird retard… We need to tell everyone to respect each other for what they do but should not let a shameless act pass through us in the name of ‘boldness’ or ‘liberals’ or ‘modernization’ …
Rahm says:
January 23, 2011 at 2:41

Good piece Sana. Please keep it up. Veena is one brave woman.
Khushal Khan Kakar says:
January 23, 2011 at 2:41

Very well said sana !!! every word that u wrote is a slap on the face of our hypocryte society!!!
Haseeb says:
January 23, 2011 at 2:23

Bismillah-hirahmanir-rahim

Assalam-o-Alaikum

I am sorry to say but it seems to me that you have not been unbiased in this case ! you said that she represent you and many of the women living in Pakistan, i must say that it’s a hard call by you ! because if my mother or sister was like her, i would have been ashamed !

i am surprised that most of the people are agreeing with you, don’t have any sense why?

what molana said there i totally agree with him and he never used any abusive language, and i was surprised that a “molvi” is talking with her in such a polite way, i appreciate his efforts and have no doubts that he was totally unbiased !

now what you said that people are criticizing her because she’s a woman? big no !
what we do with mr. nawaz sharif, mr. zardari, mr. gilani and all other politicians, are they women?
the thing is a wrong should be condemned, and this was the case here!

now what all others are doing, they are also wrong ! who’s defending them? a wrong remains wrong despite of it’s popularity !

the thing is she is wrong, according to the rules defined by ALLAH, not by any molvi ! now ALLAH has given us the right to do the things, it’s our responsibility to evaluate whether we are doing right or wrong !

in the last i want to remind you that she is an actress, they are highly paid to create such scenes, so i must say what she did in the last of the program, was a well job done.

Jazakallah

Anticipating your response !
Pradeep says:
January 23, 2011 at 17:01

I am not sure if Sana would respond to you but there are certain flaws in your argument.

You said…
“you said that she represent you and many of the women living in Pakistan, i must say that it’s a hard call by you ”

Mr. Haseeb… you have already lost the argument here. I thought that the root cause of the problem was that she was “representing Pakistan and Islam” in a wrong way.So here is the funda. She is a PAKISTANI MUSLIM WOMAN. So she can represent Pakistan and Islam but not the women of the country? How odd… Do remember that tomorrow she could convert to another religion and move to a different country. But her identity as woman is unchangeable.

“in the last i want to remind you that she is an actress, they are highly paid to create such scenes, so i must say what she did in the last of the program, was a well job done.”

Now this is getting truly judgmental here. Are you saying that actresses cannot truly cry or that they do not have feelings?
Waseem Akhtar says:
January 23, 2011 at 2:13

Sana, can not agree more.
Veena is soft target, full stop.
No maulvi would even talk about what their statements, deeds and madness are brining to Islam and pakistan. Veena is only a woman who is striving to survive, we have lot bigger issues, challenges and problems, not to bother what she has to do to make a livelihood or presentation of a non existing culture. electronic media is enjoying their freedom like a mad elephant, exploring their talent to bring destruction and chaos in the country.
Rabia Sikandar says:
January 23, 2011 at 2:07

Well…I strongly agree with the author here that right now in our country there are many other issues to worry about rather looking at what Veena did in India. Besides this i also agree with the fact that the kind of videos being made in Indian of all those songs sung by our Male Pakistani, you can’t even watch those videos. Even Pakistani media censor those videos before showing knowing the fact, though sung by our singers, they may not fulfill our cultural and religious status.
Another point i would like to make here is that we are talking about Veena in India; while how many of us have watched any of Veena’s movie here in Pakistan with our family. no one spoke when she was working here for Lollywood. She took the same status of her with her therre, so why blame her now???Veena is what she was here in Pakistan, the only difference is media was more open there….
All Muftis must first address and advice our leaders of their deeds, stop them of their corruptions and other wrong doings, this is also their area of concern besides commenting on any useless subject.
insider_reporter says:
January 23, 2011 at 2:02

This Kamran Shahid show looks a sequel of Big Boss….. Really!
xain says:
January 23, 2011 at 1:57

well..u have strong arguments but the thing is that what veena did there in big boss..,,,islam does not accept that,,,,and as well our country,,,that should b kept in my mind…but her stand against how she has been brutaly attacked by words i am so touched ….and sana i agree with what you said opens everyones eyes here…:)
MohammadAli Ghanghro says:
January 23, 2011 at 1:54

After reading your blog, I must commend you, on your daring stance. Its important to highlight the double standards in Pakistani society.Its not a matter of being a woman, its more of keeping all of us men and women in chains, this attack is on our liberties, and to being the Mullah into power. My concern is not Veena Malik, but I am concerned, how important the Mullah factor in Pakistan, which largely is churning out illiterates, who are supposedly ready to die for Mullah’s Islam.

We need to emphasize on tolerance.
Aftab S. Alam says:
January 23, 2011 at 1:52

Yes, it sure was an absolute disgusting show of “inquisition” and all thinking people must condemn this mufti and the show. Having said that, I must add here that it certain was a great great display of courage by Veena Malik to stand up for her right and refused to be cowed. I support her independance and sense of personal freedom and liberty. Of course, as an individual she has a right to do what she considers right and supportive to pusue her career goals. I, personally, do not think that any “Ghairat Brigades” have any business to interfere, with such abhorrent “Be-Ghairti”, in lives of the citizens the way it’s being done. I stand for dismantelling of all such ‘Brigades’ and tearing down of all ‘Factories’ that churn out orders and regs. about who from us may live or must be condemned to die.

Reply
Abdullah Khan says:
January 23, 2011 at 1:52

I am not into the controversy what Veena did in Indian reality show was right or wrong. But what is most appalling to me is the way she was disrespected and castigated on the show. She rightly pointed out that our role (media and as nation) was not supportive when she was abused in India. Further, I am totally agreed with SANA that we need to rethink definition of ‘honour and dignity’.
gibran oliver says:
January 23, 2011 at 1:49

Sana you really described what my feelings were when I was watching the show ! At time I thought she got the mufti by his short hair, but he was a master in dodging tricky discussion ! kudos veena . ..
Sana Bashir says:
January 23, 2011 at 1:32

good writing sana. the actress is a human first. she is treated immorally. all so-called certified-Muslims need to reconsider their double standards. thousand n one societal issues remain unaddressed which “actually” need their urgent fatwas inside the country!!!!
mariam says:
January 23, 2011 at 1:16

i did’nt like the host attacking veena throughtout the programm, but the answers she gave at the end was really impressive, we should change our minds and focus on other problems.
Awais Bilal says:
January 23, 2011 at 1:14

This whole Veena’s stunt has been dealt with emotions rather than thoughtfulness. In simple language all ‘sluttish’ acts should be dealt with dignity and there should be some state law against them. All those who act or may act as ambassadors of Pakistan should be given a code of conduct to follow and if not followed they should be dealt with some state law rather than fatwas.

I believe, under all circumstances, these media stunts filled by cheapness and vulgarity need to be addressed because they will eventually increase levels of frustration and anxiety among the masses of Pakistan. If not dealt in time, they will badly affect social noms and values.

Media in Pakistan has contributed a great deal in confusing people of Pakistan. They have lost the sight of the boundaries in all aspects of life. They are continuously busy in arguing on what to react and how to react rather than arguing on possible solutions of any given problem !

Madness!
Barooq says:
January 23, 2011 at 1:13

I never thought I’d say that, but after watching her interview I can’t control my ecstasy.
Veena! you go girl!
Ahmed says:
January 23, 2011 at 1:09

We are a hypocrite nation *period*
irfan says:
January 23, 2011 at 1:01

Kindly answer a few questions of mine: Why did Veena Malik opt for going to Big Boss at first place. If she says she`s patriotic then why did she go? Were there no shows for Veena Malik to do in Pakistan? Did any indian celebrity come to Pakistan for any show then why did Veena Malik go?
Rahm says:
January 24, 2011 at 4:26

How is participating in an Indian show unpatriatic? I am puzzled! Many Pakistanis go to India on cultural exchanges, scientific conventions and on business.

Did you question when our male singers including Rahat Fateh Ali Khan worked in Bollywood?

This is the exact point that Sana is making.
Mohammad Ali Khan says:
January 23, 2011 at 0:57

How come these Mullahs never declare fatwa against bribing,dishonesty,laziness,poor discipline,unsanitary habits,and other ills of Pakistani society?
Bash says:
January 23, 2011 at 0:41

It is very unfortunate we the pakistani muslims that are supposed to be good model for others have decided to humiliate our own simple culture and make us godless people on this earth at this juncture i will say it is shame on us!
Ammar says:
January 23, 2011 at 0:31

Well written Ms. Sana. I must say, its her persoanl life, let her do whatever she wants. She is in Entertainment industry, if she used that way to entice Producer of bollywood, there is nothing wrong then.
Haq says:
January 23, 2011 at 0:29

Leave the girl alone – everyone to themselves. Live and let live people. We have enough problems as Pakistani’s to focus on rather than chasing her – And truly the Maulvi Sahib’s should save their fatwas and start preaching some peace, love and tolerance to our fellow country men and women.
Tayyaba says:
January 23, 2011 at 0:27

I little bit agree with u but it is also the matter of our culture and tradition. It was a good to opurtunity to VEENA that she represent us in BIGGBOSS but she didn’t do like that. As for as my thinking is concern about that programme shouldn’t have represent in kind of way. they should attened the live calls of people got the commints on VEENA after that should have given the conclusion what she did wrong and right.
Sabih says:
January 23, 2011 at 0:23

it looks scripted to me. Every one is busy in shining his own shop.
Salman Murtaza says:
January 23, 2011 at 0:17

brilliant work!
well, what i think is that lot of people don’t like the way she presented herself in the show. I don’t like it either. There are lot of people you don’t like in your life but that doesn’t mean you are right and they are wrong. People reacted because they wanted veena malik to act in way which they think is right….so rude:(
Mustafa says:
January 23, 2011 at 0:14

Sana, your article is excellent but I have a disappointing news for you. I have witnessed Mullahs and Muftees calling Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan as Non-Muslim and even Kafir. Did this hinder Jinnah in carrying out his day to day activities and achieving his goal?

My advice to all Muslims and Muslimahs in Pakistan would be just ignore all Mullahs, Moulvis, Muftees and Theeka Dars (custodians) of religion of Islam. Religion is between a human being and Allah only.
Azeema says:
January 23, 2011 at 0:07

I wish more people in Pakistan were like the ppl commenting on this blog…. nice blog Sana…. I was never a fan of Veena but in this case totally in favor of her and am impressed with are arguments…
Tahir J says:
January 23, 2011 at 3:52

Refer to your statement “Here, I must also add that the host tried his best to emphasise that the Mufti had the right to impose a fatwa on Veena for her actions.”

Isnt it the job of a mufti to issue fatwas? A Mufti has gone through a long Islamic education which has entrusted him to issue fatwas based on his qualifications. He is supposed to issue fatwas on whatever is happening wrong in our society.
Shahid Ashraf says:
January 23, 2011 at 0:03

I agree with whatever you said Sana.
Raheem says:
January 22, 2011 at 23:53

Did Mufti Saheb also watched the whole show and enjoyed every move of Veena Malik? I completely agree with Ms. Malik that if it was wrong on her part then it is between her and her Allah!!!! Who is Mufti and who has given people like him the authority to question any one. This is not Islam and this is not what Islam teaches. If Ms. Malik has done something wrong then this is not the way to make it correct. It is well said that God also puts curtain on the ill-doings of others than who are we humans to expose anyone on their ill doings? The true Islam is to be humble and not to point fingers on anyone-else. Islam can not be forced – it is to come from heart!!!! God bless us all!!!!
DTA says:
January 22, 2011 at 23:51

I dun agree with u at all..after going thru ur article..I’ve a strong feeling as if u r also a hypocrite & a supporter of secularism..She knew that it was a reality show & she was sleeping with a stranger & u r supporting her..Can u tell me what is the message she wanted to give to our entire nation thru this act of sleeping with stranger..right in the beginning of this show she first tried to gain some sympathy from others by telling one sided story to everyone regarding her scandal with M.Asif..I believe she did all those indecent acts just to impress the bollywood directors..after watching her acts..they may think how bold she is..she can do every type of roles..if you support veena then you should support meera also..

Think that!!


Hira says:
January 22, 2011 at 23:42

Brilliantly written!! N kudos to Veena for holding her ground amidst such brutal slandering on national television
Mina Khan says:
January 22, 2011 at 23:32

Thank you so much for writing this. You’re one of the few sane voices in our country and we need people like you.
Ravi says:
January 23, 2011 at 10:07

Pakistan needs more of such sane voices. Islam in Pakistan being systematically demonised by selfish people and they are hijacking a peaceful, tolerant religion and portraying it as most violent non tolerant religion of the world.
Rakhshan says:
January 22, 2011 at 23:19

Nice work Sana…even i agree to you…i totally support Veena Malik…she has a right to live her life the way she wants…she is an actress and she was being herself…i dunno why people keep calling her fake…she doesn’t have to justify herself in front of anybody…i salute her confidence and her bold answers…!!!
Ilyas Khan says:
January 22, 2011 at 23:17

Veena has clearly won this debate against both these mullahs (the mufit and the host who is the painted-shirted mullah). She has pulled both of them down by candidly and honestly presenting her case. The two gentlemen only contradicted themselves time and again. Both of them looked like street children in front of her mature argument and courage!
samyak gowda says:
January 23, 2011 at 9:58

I think you’re kidding yourself.

Do you think the larger society takes it that way?

Veena Malik will remain a culprit. I haven’t seen this show. But have seen many to know what happens when a woman is in the center. Barkha Dutt’s is the case in point. People in India are so jealous and angry at the popularity of this journalist that when a controversy broke, there were millions to cast a stone.
samar says:
January 23, 2011 at 6:39

it is true that most pakistani men behave like overgrown children.. and women are just so much more mature.. i think we pakistani women deserve better
Sarah says:
January 22, 2011 at 23:15

Well written article.

2011 is revealing a bold face of Pakistan as unconventional discussions have been stirred across the country by sad incidents such as Salman Taseer’s murder and the Veena Malik controversy. Time will tell what more the year will unfold. Wish and pray for non-violent social reforms for Pakistan.
amna says:
January 22, 2011 at 23:02

An excellent piece Sana. Couldnt agree more.

How Veena conducted herself on Big Boss certainly didn’t represent the morally cultured Pakistani we like to be called, but are we actually that.

Secondly I totally agreed with Veena when she said to Mufti sahab, “agar yeh meray aur meray Allah ka mamla hai to ap kaun hain? “
Haider says:
January 22, 2011 at 22:52

Our country is clearly falling into two extremes. Religious extremism and secular extremism. God save Pakistan.
Not needed says:
January 23, 2011 at 9:48

Secular extrimism? Pray tell us what do you mean by that? Please go and read NFPs todays blog on libereal extremism which is published (1/23). Is Veene telling you to start wearing (or not wearing) certain clothes? Is she telling you to do something you don’t want to do? The only thing she is asking to let her live her life without judging her or interfering in it..She obviously has more guts than the so called moderates who are cowards as they cannot stand up to religious extremism but will shout honor and moral to a mere helpless girl!
Ramesh says:
January 23, 2011 at 8:47

You have got it wrong my friend. Secularism vouches for “live and let live” principle. There is nothing extreme in it. In fact it is the anti-thesis for extremism and fundamentalism
sz says:
January 23, 2011 at 5:54

Very well said, Haider. Both sides of this pictures are not so good. Wrong must be acknowldge and pointed out. Defending a wrong behavior is more wrong and shameful. Hugging ‘non-mahram’ is haram in Islam. I am sure it is very clear and no fatwa is needed in this case.
WhoWasThatMaskedMan says:
January 23, 2011 at 0:46

True that!
Khudeja says:
January 22, 2011 at 22:38

Even though i did not watch the show on the local tv channel, I was avidly following the Bigg Boss show. I agree that her conduct was embarrassing at times, but its her life and its her choice. I liked some of the things she said during the show which made me think that she is more sensible and mature than the other house mates. for one thing she never really lost her temper or abused as the other contestants did.
I completely agree with you, Sana, and while she may not represent me, she has no right to be abused the way she was by the people on the local tv show.
ruqayya says:
January 22, 2011 at 22:22

i dun agree with veena malik bt i do condemn da way shez being grilled dats v.true!
Knubbyah says:
January 22, 2011 at 22:20

Am appalling effort of the host to gain ratings.
UZi says:
January 22, 2011 at 22:16

Brilliant work, Sana. Veena DOES represent me. She represents the ‘me’ that is questioned about wardrobe; she represents the ‘me’ that is blamed for being harassed on the streets; she represents the ‘me’ that is called all sorts of names simply for disagreeing with people. She represents the ‘me’ that is called a “prostitute” (by fellow journalists and even supposedly ‘progressive’ activists) for filing investigative reports about the difficult lives of commercial sex workers and even rape. Veena Malik represents me. She represents every woman in this godforsaken country. Damn the ghaeret brigade; damn ‘notional honour’. Let us be.
Riz Atlanta GA says:
January 22, 2011 at 22:12

Bravo Veena, You made us proud! we need more honest and brave people like her.
Unfortunately she need 24hr security otherwise some fanatic will attack her.
yusuf says:
January 22, 2011 at 22:08

We are living in a society where everybody is confused, all those people which appeared in the show just tried to get attention. Issues like this are never discussed in such an evironment and with participants like these specially.
prabhat says:
January 23, 2011 at 12:34

I think you are confused. veena is clear about living her life on her own terms. Mullahs are clear about not letting the freedom of one’s own choice to the people, even killing them for it, like salman taseer. You decide your own stance.
Ashish Kumar says:
January 23, 2011 at 13:22

Very well said!
gaurav says:
January 22, 2011 at 22:06

I am not fan of BB or veena malik but after watching her confrontation with TV show host who was quite visibly hostile to her and the religious preacher who we don’t expect to be different , I would say Veena Malik has more courage than most of pakistan’s civil society. And that is something considering what happened few weeks back to Salman Taseer. God bless her.
Tahir Rizvi says:
January 22, 2011 at 22:06

I fully agree with Ms. Sana Saleem. Our moral code is extremely tilted in favor of men since the authors and interpreters of our religious believe were mostly men. In fact we do not have a fair moral code when it comes to judging behaviors of men and women. The standards are so lop sided that the even rape is at times justified for men since the women was dressed inappropriately or that she was walking alone late at night on the street. These kinds of one sided and illogical interpretations are abundant in our religion which are mockery of justice and prejudicial interpretation of our religion. Ours is a male dominated society and we need fair and impartial review of our believes when it comes to standards and codes of conduct for men and women. Women are our grandmothers, mothers, wives, sisters and daughters; we cannot and should not allow unfair treatment of more than 50% of our population. Let justice and fairness prevail between treatment of men and women.
Naveed says:
January 22, 2011 at 21:58

I dont want to pass judgment on veena’s actions but i am really moved by your blog. You are right in unveiling the defected mentality of our society. Our morals have degarded and we have lost our honour and easiest thing we find to satisify ourself is to compare and degrading other so we feel better.
Sachal says:
January 22, 2011 at 21:05

I really like your article, and I agree with you. But I only wish that none of this should’ve happened. We are killing ourselves!
Hena says:
January 22, 2011 at 21:01

WELL DONE!!! sad but sooooo true…….disgusting Pakistani GHAIRAT BRIGADE who only target women !!!!! I feel so sick that I cant even put a coherent line together in praise of your article…. BRAVO
A-B says:
January 22, 2011 at 20:55

Very true… These so called religious people are the ones who must be tried by the media! But who dares…
Fatima says:
January 22, 2011 at 20:28

very well said Sana, keep it up
respect
A.Bajwa says:
January 22, 2011 at 20:23

Veena Malik is a talented person, and a fascinating one.

We must check the backwardness which is encouraged by our Media to seek cheap popularity.

We must try to present Pakistan as a progressive country. Veena should be our Ambassador.
Ali Mir says:
January 22, 2011 at 20:23

I do not agree with the author here. The method of confrontation on the show may have been wrong but what she did on Big Boss clearly shocked everyone. And that cannot and should not be justified.
prabhat says:
January 23, 2011 at 12:37

don’t try to impose your view on others. veena didn’t do any harm to any one. she is free to lead her life as she wishes. who are you to pass judgment on her? live and let live.
Zehra says:
January 24, 2011 at 5:56

I DONT think she had the right of representing all the Pakistani women. Clearly in her interview she said that she was repesenting Pakistan. She has ALL the right in the world to live the way she wants to, BUT if she wants to represent pakistani women she NEEDS to realize her limits.
sohaib says:
January 25, 2011 at 14:18

Well said, sister….keep it up.
Shehzad Khan says:
January 23, 2011 at 2:34

And why does she need to justifyher actions? Do you justify all your actions you go through everyday Mr. Mir? EWho put anyone inchrage of looking after Veena’s or your actions?

The fact of the matter is that everyone has that Veena Malik has the right to do whatever as long as she does not impede on anyone else’s right?

Shame on the host. It was so biased that its not worth mentioning that where is the moral police when a man goes to bollywood and does the same.

I dont know Veena, I have only seen her on funny show and thats about it but bringing her on a televised show just to chastise her and degrade her, is really low even for the Pakistani media standards.
Zehra says:
January 24, 2011 at 6:02

I would recommend you to watch Bigg boss. Tell me if she represents all the Pakistani’s. The mullah was WRONG! but it doesnt justify Veena’s actions, when she herself said that she was representing Pakistan
Rabia Basri says:
January 24, 2011 at 16:43

The Molvi sb was not wrong he was just asking her some questions very respectfully but Veena was saying what is happening in Pakistan you should stop that first and then she was saying to Movli sb that you rape your own students in Masjid…. Zehra would you mind telling me does any Pakistani women sleep with a man? and if she sleep then is it justified?….. does any Pakistani women give massage to a man with sizzling facial expression? I am shocked a female author who herself wear a scarf and defending veena for wearing shorts, sleeping with a man,,,,, it is nothing but hypocrisy….. Nobody can watch her obscene scenes with his/her family members….
Tariq Kamal says:
January 22, 2011 at 20:07

Excellent article.
Where can I watch that TV show. Is it on utube.
Syed says:
January 22, 2011 at 20:05

It was programed and aired only to increase ratings and fetch more Ads n $$$$$. What a role media is playing !
Nadir says:
January 22, 2011 at 19:52

Excellent article Sana. The worst part is that a large news agency was indulging in such trash television and seeking to profit from deliberately feeding fuel to this fire.

It doesn’t matter how Veena Malik defended herself, the point is that she shouldn’t have to do it at all. People in this country will never learn to mind their own business and stop patronizing others until the media decides to ignore them instead of providing them with pulpits to shout from.
Hopefull says:
January 23, 2011 at 12:48

we need more people like you
samar says:
January 22, 2011 at 19:42

veena malik is every woman. she is going through the same moral policing brigade’s hypocrisy as we do on a daily basis.
Ajlaan says:
January 22, 2011 at 19:18

Great piece
Salman says:
January 22, 2011 at 18:59

I always looked at Veena Malik as another Pakistani actress trying to get on with life in a difficult environment, but was truly moved by the show yesterday:

1. I now admire Veena for her courage and grace

2. I feel more depressed at the shallowness of it all – the moral police and the self important and all knowing anchors.

3. I wish there were more people with courage and spine.

Well done Veena!
Awaisw Bilal says:
January 23, 2011 at 6:37

Thanks for you admiration!

People of Pakistan desperately need people like you to support those who are contributing in polluting our social norms and values.
techunar says:
January 22, 2011 at 18:53

Thanks Sana for putting the voice of normal liberal Pakistanis.
A says:
January 22, 2011 at 18:32

good work sana! keep the nice work up!
veena may be not my fav personality and she may tend to having controversial methods (war of revenge vs. asif) but I respect her for her courage.
I wish their were more of her type in Pakistan. Male AND Female!
Salma says:
January 22, 2011 at 18:12

I don’t even get the point of bringing a maulvi and Veena Malik on a show! :S I mean, cmon, are we now going to bring the numerous other tv people on shows with maulvis and let them provide justification of their actions?

This is not about Islam, this is only about getting the most viewers and sensationalism.
Tim says:
January 22, 2011 at 18:09

Sana, you are correct to expose the hypocrisy in our society.But iam astonished at your stance that veena represents Pakistani women. I don’t think people like you are going to perform in this manner in local or foreign channels. I think your voice can be considered representative of Pakistani women- but not veena.
L031888 says:
January 22, 2011 at 17:35

A very nice article Indeed.
What can I say, we are living in a society which is morally corrupt & religious extreme.
We are proud to interfere in other activities but dont realize what our deeds are.
la traffic says:
January 22, 2011 at 17:25

Ms Sana should read some of veena malik’s stories on indian media I am sure she will have second thoughts.
Sammit Khandeparkar says:
January 23, 2011 at 4:39

To la traffic,
and Indian media is a reliable source of factual reporting.
Rihat says:
January 22, 2011 at 17:20

With articles like these, if also written in Urdu, it is the starting point for revolutionary thinking of moderation / logical living in our society. Let’s all go for it and rid ourselves of hypocrisy. Everyone should be allowed to do whatever they feel like within the decent and accepted codes of conduct of society.

When will hypocrisy end? Is it in-built in some of us or there are other inescapable reasons?
Rizwan says:
January 22, 2011 at 23:15

My thoughts exactly! Recently I have been reading great articles (including this one), but all in English blogs or newspapers. To get this message of moderation across to the remaining 95% of Pakistanis who have access only to Urdu newspapers, either directly or indirectly, we must either write these articles in Urdu newspapers or have them translated. Only then will there be a chance of creating an enlightened society.
Huzefa says:
January 22, 2011 at 17:19

Miss Sana, a very well written and explained article. what veena did created controversy because she’s a women and what other of our male singers do when they go to India has never been noted. Most of all whatever has been happening in the film industry in Pakistan, all that is not seen by the mufti yet he comes to the show blaming veena for her actions and calling it oryan and fahash, that is just ridiculous and unfair
apakistani says:
January 22, 2011 at 17:06

A brilliant article.
I may not agree with her way of conducting herself but as a Pakistani she has every single right to express herself in her own way. Who am I or anyone to pass a judgement? Lets first take at ourselves and stop chastising others.
Rafia says:
January 22, 2011 at 17:03

For how long women of Pakistan are being questioned? Give us Oxygen to breath PLEASE…..
Ibitian says:
January 22, 2011 at 17:01

awsome, wonderful amazing bestest post..
AbrarLaghari says:
January 22, 2011 at 17:01

I think both view points are extreme cases and wrong. Before discusing such matters we should first think in which country we are living? is it a secular one or pure islamic.Then what rights a citizen reserves from constitutional point of view and what are the boundaries for it. If these things are clear only then we can say anything about these situations.
Hira says:
January 22, 2011 at 16:51

Yes this is it!
salman says:
January 22, 2011 at 16:49

I beg to differ sana . As much as i dislike the maulvi and the host for acting wierd and completely unreasonable on the show, i would also not go on and support the stance and the wanderings of the supposedly hailed Veena . “Big Boss” may or may not have been staged but if it wasn’t i feel completely obliged to say that the choices that Veena made on the show were pretty indecent to call them the least . But then well we call it the freedom of expression so i would not object to that. but why go on and call it “the pyar and muhabbat that Islam commands” . Where on earth did she get that version of Islam ?
naren says:
January 23, 2011 at 12:02

May be we need the Mulla’s version of Islam which is being practically followed.
emjay says:
January 22, 2011 at 16:45

Congrats to Veena full stop!!

Kamran is just becominga tabloid journalist both being a a judge, jury and a victim, hopefully it wont be long some one hold him accountable.
anum fatima says:
January 22, 2011 at 16:42

really appreciate ur work…. great peace of writing to clear our misconceptions……. well done
Imran says:
January 22, 2011 at 16:41

I am really ashamed on such girls , sana whatever you wrote instead of current non governance issues and the economic crisis and the political crisis, Is this is not our duty to stop Promoting the non issues like veena malik, Where do you stand and where i see myself, we only criticize without knowing the facts, well we must have courage morally to say what is right or wrong,
Umer Gill says:
January 22, 2011 at 16:32

I believe what we saw last night was a fight between the two extremes in the country. I dont think most women can relate to Veena Malik , her actions or her dresses .At the same time i dont think that most men would have agreed with the mufti sahab when he said that” he didnt see the pictures himself but had a right to condemn them because he heard from someone that they were in some way compromising” . The message you give is right that veena was a victim of discrimination in a patriarchal society , but still she could have been a bit more careful.
Sameer says:
January 22, 2011 at 16:29

I think there is a war between feminist and masculine going on.

I am not sure who would like to see his / her relative in Veena malik place. At least I wouldn’t.

Veena represented herself. She openly humiliated our cricket star (regardless of spon fixing allegation) . Veena need to see a psychiatric as soon as possible because she likes to get attention, doesn’t matter how she does it.

Many celebrities came before her but there are only two who really shattered the Pakistani rep, Meera and Veena.
Zahid Memon says:
January 22, 2011 at 16:27

Frankly I am not surprized what Mufti was saying. You can expect such talk from such people But I was not expecting such language and attitude from the host. I think media mangers should revsit such behaviour unfortunately, being promoted through some section of media.
imran says:
January 22, 2011 at 16:26

well i wouldn’t justify veena for everything she did there… but i do agree with SANA, we are more concerned about the skirts of Sania mirza n dresses of veena malik rather than our prayers… most of pakistanis enjoyed watchinb BIG boss but stilled wanted a fatwa against veena malik…. v r really touching the depths of hypocracy……
Faryal Sadiq says:
January 22, 2011 at 16:20

Every word you wrote rings true with me

Ashiq Samo says:
January 22, 2011 at 16:20

I may not agree with Veena, and I may not support what she did,,,, but certainly I condemn the way she has been grilled. It is her life, let her live the way she wants to live.
Balal says:
January 22, 2011 at 16:10

Loved what you’ve written. We know how to use Islam selfishly and selectively. This is just another example of it. Alas!
MIKhan says:
January 25, 2011 at 9:50

Bilal how can we use islam correctly in this matter?
Usman says:
January 22, 2011 at 16:03

Very nice article ….; well done
Ali Hassan says:
January 22, 2011 at 15:59

Didn’t know much about Veena Malik before watching Kamran Shahid’s show.
She is brave and very intelligent and defended her case gracefully.
I am surprised how the host and the mufti sahab used cheap words for her, right in front of her face.
proud to be Hindu dr. from UK says:
January 22, 2011 at 15:51

Sana, I am really proud of you and specially your parents to brought you up as good human being. Hope all those women who are suppressed can make a voice to change their fate from dependent, timid, dispensable and scared to roaring, fearful person, and be able to live respectful dignified life.
la traffic says:
January 24, 2011 at 16:42

wow
Super Sis says:
January 22, 2011 at 15:45

Great Article Sana!! You have shown the other perspective of Veena and the show. Although the show was disgusting but you brought a positive side of it.
SomeGuy says:
January 22, 2011 at 15:43

There is a lot of hate towards Veena on her fan page.

Why is it so hard for Pakistanis to let others do as they please? The Ghairat brigade needs to be shut down….there has to be a serious fight back from people. Veena was let down by her country…
Danish says:
January 22, 2011 at 15:42

@ Sana: I endorse you point of view, and really appreciate this blog except one point i like to highlight don’t blame country for that matter. Yes there may be 100 thousand things going wrong here but that doesn’t mean we blame country its that some people are at fault. May GOD bless us !!! Pakistan First
hadaar says:
January 22, 2011 at 15:34

YOU spoke my heart out , sana .. well done..
Zakintosh says:
January 22, 2011 at 15:31

Bravo, Veena! Your show was a delight to watch for the wonderful person you are!!! The host and the muftee mufti are way below what humans should be.

Thank you, Sana, for being in the forefront of the voices that raise these questions in the free press and blogs.

And thanks to all the Tweeters and Bloggers who saw the show and let it be known that such shows are disgusting.
Noreen Shams says:
January 22, 2011 at 15:30

love you for this what you have written …. great piece
Bina Shah says:
January 22, 2011 at 15:29

Which woman in Pakistan has *never* been questioned about her dress, her behaviour, her activities, her morals? Veena Malik is all of us. We are all Veena Malik. And all you men who subject women to inquisitions such as these, *are* the mufti and the tv show host.
Rabia Basri says:
January 24, 2011 at 16:09

Bina I disagree with you…
Agreed with Hasan
bpshah says:
January 25, 2011 at 12:57

Bina, well said…. do not get discouraged by the likes of Rabia..
hasan tariq says:
January 23, 2011 at 11:59

Sorry bina i disagree with u. the person is known by the action they keep.

if u think men dominate then please point out the things which u want men to correct…
Mustafa Kamal says:
January 22, 2011 at 15:24

I strongly support Veena Malik for her individuality, no matter how wrong it is in the eyes of our so-called puritans of faith.








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