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| India-Pakistan | |
| Veena Malik talks down cleric on live TV debate | |
| 2011-01-23 | |
| [Arab News] A Pak actress castigated for appearing to cuddle with an Indian actor on a reality show lashed out at a holy man who had criticized her during a widely watched television exchange this week. The unusual outburst, punctuated by tears, came at a sensitive time in a country where fundamentalism is spreading and liberals are increasingly afraid to express their views. "What is your problem with me? You tell me your problem!" an angry Veena Malik asked the scholar, who accused her of insulting Islam. Earlier this month, a liberal Pak governor was rubbed out for opposing the country's harsh laws against blasphemy. In the aftermath, his killer was cheered as a hero among many in the public, shocking the country's small liberal establishment. Veena, 26, participated recently on "Bigg Boss," an Indian version of "Big Brother." Clips of the show on the Internet include ones in which she appears cozy with Indian actor Ashmit Patel. Those scenes, and her involvement with a show in Pakistain's archrival India, prompted criticism online and on the air. "You have insulted Pakistain and Islam," Mufti Abdul Qawi accused her on the Express TV channel talk show via a television link. The exchange first aired Friday and then again Saturday. A furious Veena shot back, saying Qawi targeted her because she is a woman, reminding him that the Holy Qur'an admonishes men not to stare at a woman's beauty beyond a first glance, and telling him there were bigger problems in Pakistain, including the alleged rape of children at madrasas.
"What does your Islam say, mufti sir?" the actress asked. "You issue edicts on the basis of hearsay." Veena said she had read the Qur'an and she knew what lines not to cross as a Mohammedan as well as an entertainer in South Asia. She pointed out that she never kissed Patel, for instance. "I am a Mohammedan woman, and I know my limits," she said. The holy man seemed unable to respond to her flood of words. Veena's fierce outburst sparked a barrage of comments on Twitter. While some writers said they didn't agree with her and one called her a "porn star," others said she was brave for standing up to the Pak holy man establishment, especially when such an act can mean personal danger. Wrote one supporter: "The only way to talk to these bloody holy mans is to talk down to them. Veena Malik did just that, and how. Good for her!" | |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #3 Being in India might not help that much. Remember that India is 13.4% Muslim. Since India has over one billion people, that means that there are well over 100 million Muslims in India. |
| Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2011-01-23 10:19 |
| #2 She better leave for India, pronto. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2011-01-23 04:22 |
| #1 I love it, tell that mufti off! |
| Posted by: Uleatch Dribble8106 2011-01-23 00:19 |